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This photograph shows an undated image
of Steve Centanni of US television channel Fox News (Xinhua/AFP
Photo)
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>>> | BEIJING,
Aug. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- The brother and the wife of the two Fox News journalists
kidnapped in Gaza City last week appealed Thursday to the kidnappers for their
release.
"By now, you know they cherish life. They have no
power. They are not deal makers. They are not politicians, and they have no
authority," Ken Centanni, brother of Steve Centanni, said in a videotaped
statement.
"Our brother and his colleague are in Gaza to report
your story -- nothing more and nothing less," he continued. "It is in your
control to resolve this matter. I respectfully request that you let our brother,
Steve, and his colleague come home to their families."
The wife of cameraman Olaf Wiig, Anita McNaught,
issued an similar plea to the kidnappers, saying her husband and Centanni should
not be punished for the suffering in Palestine.
"Olaf and Steve have always worked for the interest
of the Palestinian people, they came here to support you by telling your story,"
she said.
"I do not question that you who are holding them have
suffered greatly, as everyone in Gaza - in the Palestinian territories - is
suffering, but these two men are not responsible for the injustices that you
speak of, and they should not be punished for them."
Ken Centanni and Anita McNaught made the appeal after
the two journalists, taken hostage 10 days ago, appeared Wednesday in a video,
which was aired by the Palestinian news agency, Ramattan.
In it, Steve Centanni said the two are in "fairly
good condition," with adequate food, water, access to showers and clean clothes.
A leaflet accompanying the video indicated it came
from a previously unknown group calling itself the Holy Jihad Brigades, which
claimed responsibility for the kidnappings.
In a CNN translation, the group said "we will release
your prisoners" if male and female Muslim prisoners "in the jails of America"
are released.
"We will give you 72 hours starting today, midday ...
to discuss and to agree." Enditem
(Agencies)
Related stories:
Kidnapped Fox reporters speak on video
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. Full story
Unknown Palestinian group claims abduction of Fox journalists
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. Full story
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. Full story
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