Turkish Hostage Gunned Down in Iraq (drivers stop work in Iraq)

[papau]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=716&e=5&u=/ap/20040802/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

Turkish Hostage Gunned Down in Iraq


By RAVI NESSMAN, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Masked gunmen shot a blindfolded Turkish hostage three times in the head on a gruesome Internet video meant to warn Muslim workers to stay out of Iraq (news - web sites). Soon after the video was discovered Monday, Turkish truckers announced they would stop hauling goods for U.S. forces in hopes of saving two other Turkish captives.

The truckers' decision was another victory for militants who have taken more than 70 foreigners hostage as leverage to drive coalition forces and anyone supporting them out of the country. Between 200 and 300 trucks cross Turkey's southern border into Iraq every day to bring fuel, food and other supplies to U.S. forces.


"As of today, those trucks won't be crossing into Iraq," said Cahit Soysal, head of the International Transporters' Association. <snip>