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BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhuanet)
-- The unknown Palestinian group that claimed responsibility for
kidnapping two Fox journalists on Aug. 14, released Wednesday a video of
American correspondent Steve Centanni and New Zealand cameraman Olaf Wiig.
In the video, Centanni and Wiig appeared to
be in good health, CNN reported.
Centanni speaks first on the video."We have been
taken captive in Gaza and are being held prisoner here," he says, sitting
cross-legged next to Wiig.
"We're in fairly good condition, we're alive and well
and in fairly good health. We get lots of clean water, food every day, access to
the bathroom, shower, clean clothes and our captors are treating us well.
"Just want to let you know I'm here and alive and
give my love to my family and friends and ask you to do anything you can to try
to help us get out of here."
Wiig then speaks: "If you could apply any political
pressure on the local government here in Gaza and the West Bank that would be
much appreciated by Steve and myself."
"To my family: I love you all. Please don't worry,
I'll do all the worrying for us."
The video then shows what appear to be the
journalists' ID cards, including one indicating that Wiig has worked for CNN as
a freelancer.
The two had not been seen since they were kidnapped
Aug. 14 near the Palestinian security services headquarters in Gaza City.Enditem
(Agencies)
Related stories:
Unknown Palestinian group
claims abduction of Fox journalists
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This photograph shows an undated image
of Steve Centanni of US television channel Fox News (Xinhua/AFP
Photo)
Photo Gallery
>>> | GAZA,
Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- An unknown Palestinian group on Wednesday claimed
responsibility for kidnapping two Fox journalists on Aug. 14, threatening the
United States to release Muslim prisoners held in U.S. jails within 72 hours,
the Doha-based Al-Jazeera satellite TV reported.
On Aug. 14, Fox correspondent Steve Centanni and
cameraman Olaf Wiig were snatched by unknown gunmen near the Palestinian
security services headquarter in Gaza City when a truck intercepted them and
forced them out of their vehicle.
The Fox TV team's Palestinian driver and two other
journalists were set free.
"We can confirm that two of our colleagues at Fox
News have been kidnapped in the Gaza Strip," Fox said in a statement in the wake
of the abduction, adding that negotiations were ongoing for their release.
Enditem
Two Fox News reporters
confirmed kidnapped in Gaza
BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. television
network Fox News confirmed on Tuesday two of its reporters had been
kidnapped in Gaza.
Irena Briganti, the network's spokeswoman, named two
reporters Steve Centanni from California and Olaf Wiig, whose nationality
she did not specify.
"I can just confirm that the two of them are
kidnapped, Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig. Steve Centanni is an on-air reporter
and Olaf Wiig, he's a freelance cameraman. Steve is American, Olaf I don't
know," Briganti said.
But a website for the cameraman describes him as
London-based.
Witnesses said the two were abducted by
gunmen on Monday, who intercepted their car in Gaza, but the reporting
team's Palestinian driver and two other journalists were set free.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the
kidnapping.
Fox said in a statement that negotiations were under
way to secure their release, adding the pair had been reporting from the region
for several weeks.
Ghazi Hamad, spokesman for Hamas-led Palestinian
government, and Nabil Abu Rudeina, the one for Palestinian president
Mahmud Abbas, both called for their "rapid liberation." Meanwhile, the
Palestinian interior ministry said a search was under way for the two reporters.
"We have launched a probe to determine who kidnapped
them and we are seeking to find them as quickly as possible," the spokesman
said.
Several foreigners, including journalists, have been
kidnapped in recent months in Gaza Strip in a wave of lawlessness following
Israel's withdrawal from the Palestinian territory last year. Enditem
(Agencies)
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