Rebels set deadline, quote $5m ransom

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=54592





Home > International





Rebels set deadline, quote $5m ransom



DOMINIC EVANS


Posted online: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 at 0102 hours IST



DUBAI, SEPTEMBER 6: An Iraqi group purportedly holding two French journalists hostage demanded a $5 million ransom on Monday and set a 48-hour deadline for their demands to be met. The statement, posted on a website in the name of the Islamic Army in Iraq, punctured the mood of cautious optimism in France that reporters Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot would soon be free.

The kidnappers’ statement, which could not immediately be authenticated, said the group had previously planned to release the men but that attacks on them had prevented from doing so. They did not elaborate.

A group with the same name previously sent videotaped messages to the satellite television station Al Jazeera showing the two men. The French Foreign Ministry declined to comment on Monday’s statement.

The ransom demand and fresh deadline were the first word from the kidnappers since a previous ultimatum expired last Wednesday.

Monday’s statement also called for a truce with Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and a promise of no military and commercial dealings with Iraq — demands which appeared to be directed at France.

<snip>