CAIRO, Egypt - Kidnappers of two French journalists in Iraq praised France's "positive steps toward the Iraqi people" Tuesday, a sign that the hostage-takers may be softening their position. In a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press in Cairo and also posted on a discussion board of the Iraq Islamic Army, the group said it hoped "this is a beginning for a new era of understanding our issues and respect of our constants." However, the statement did not refer to the French captives, journalists Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot. The group, which claimed the kidnapping of the Frenchman in previous...