CAIRO, Egypt (AP) — Al-Jazeera has aired a tape of a hostage American reporter along with a statement saying the U.S. has three days to free female prisoners in Iraq or she will be killed. Al-Jazeera would not tell The Associated Press how it received the tape, but issued its own statement calling for Carroll’s release.
The tape showed the 28-year-old reporter sitting in front of a white background and speaking, but her voice could not be heard.
I haven’t seen it yet. I’m waiting for Aljazeera’s next news bulletin! I can’t write more! Every single bone in my body is shaking!
UPDATE: More of the same via MSNBC, where they too indicated the tape showed Jill and said there was no audio from the tape when aired. The story will likely be updated via this link. CNN has added some new information and published a statement to the kidnappers from Jill’s parents, Jim and Mary Beth, and her twin sister, Katie:
Jill is an innocent journalist, and we respectfully ask that you please show her mercy and allow her to return home to her mother, sister and family.
Jill is a kind person whose love for Iraq and the Iraqi people are evident in her articles. She has been welcomed into the homes of many Iraqis and shown every courtesy.
From that experience, she understands the hardships and suffering that the Iraqi people face every day. Jill is a friend and sister to many Iraqis, and has been dedicated to bringing the truth of the Iraq war to the world.
We appeal for the speedy and safe return of our beloved daughter and sister.
UPDATE 2: I just finished watching the heart-wrenching video on Aljazeera. My dear Jill looked extremely tired but somehow better than I expected. She looked like she hadn’t been sleeping. I’m going crazy here but still praying and hoping for her quick release. I’m hoping that the kidnappers still have some mercy left in them so they can release this innocent young woman, who is but a pawn in the current political mayhem.
Following the airing of the tape, Aljazeera’s anchor read a statement from Aljazeera that appealed for Jill’s release. I hope the kidnappers were watching. In addition, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) has appealed for Jill’s release:
Journalists must be free to report on conflicts worldwide without fear of being targeted by combatants. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Jill Carroll and for the release of all hostages held in Iraq. No cause can be served by harming those who only seek to convey the human suffering caused by war.
CAIR’s statement will be translated into Arabic and distributed to Middle Eastern media outlets. I hope other Muslim organizations follow suit with efforts to appeal to the kidnappers that snatched an innocent in war-torn, a woman there to report the truth and nothing but the truth.
Meanwhile, the US State Department responded to the videotape with a statement: "We continue to make every effort we can, working with Iraqis and others, to see Miss Carroll is returned safe and sound," spokesman Sean McCormack said.
UPDATE 3: MSNBC’s translator Alfred Arian said the tape showed the logo of a group calling itself the Revenge Brigade. The same group claimed responsibility for a Jan. 4 kidnapping of the Iraqi interior minister’s sister, asking for the release of female prisoners at that time as well, according to an NBC News report Tuesday.
UPDATE 4: According to Aljazeera’s English website, the kidnappers have identified themselves as members of a previously unknown armed group calling itself the "Brigades of Vengeance."
I am honored and appeciate the chance to air my views about Jill on your website. I feel she is being used as a pawn in the assinine war there in Iraq.
It appears that Jill’s only agenda was to report what was actually going on over there. Jill is there only because of the fact that the USA attacked Iraq under trumped up charges, whereas the “real” agenda was to gain control of the Oil in Iraq—while using the excuse that Saddam was working with Bin Laden.
It all has to do with natural resources and the USA-Russia and China–the 3 super powers vying for control of resources for their populations in the coming decades. It is that simple—with the USA using world politics to make excuses to gain control of those resources.
Yes, Jill looked tired in the video. Dam I feel so bad for that young woman to be put in harms way due to the invasion of Iraq—if the USA hadn’t bombed Iraq–destroying its infrastructure–she wouldnt have to be there to help the poor people of Iraq.
If the USA does not release those Iraqi women from prison, so that Jill can go home…I will never ever forgive my country for what it Didn’t Do!
To set the record straight, the audio from that tape is actually present, according to some of our sources. Aljazeera deliberately controlled the output of that tape. The satellite channel has been doing this (receiving and airing controversial statements) for a while, with many complaints that they are “giving terrorists a voice.” There is some real truth to that. Apparently, the tape was longer than what was aired at first. Evidence of that can now be found on MSNBC and NBC News, where they show some video stills of the captors that were not seen in the first Aljazeera clip.
The Arabic satellite channel has chosen to air a bit more of that video today. Aljazeera is choosing the portions of the tape that they want show. As I understand it, the anchor spoke over Jill’s voice, the thought being – I would infer – that they are more in control of the message here. Rather than just turning over their studio to broadcast the terrorist’s message in this way, they are providing the information but they are in control of it. So, in summary, there is audio on the tape, but Aljazeera is utilizing editorial control over what is put out. My feeling: this is smart. Aljazeera is really a conduit to the Arab world and this is a sensitive issue. Information is a tool and it could be used in this case to compromise things for Jill. Aljazeera is using a great deal of sophistication in how they are handling this issue.
Has any news organization employed lip readers to attempt to decipher what Ms. Carroll is saying on the video tape?
The video of Jill shows her to be physically ok, considering her circumstances, as far as we can tell.Thank God. We will keep praying for Jills safe return.
Our prayers go out to you her and her family.May God “yehdee”those people and make them do teh right decision and free Jill.
Finally some good news! At least she’s ok for now.I wonder if her kidnappers knew who she was,or just picked her at random? What kind of cowards kidnap innocent victims,especially women?
Even if CAIR had an ulterior motive in appealing for her release,perhaps their muslim brothers in Iraq will be swayed by their logic.
I wonder how the tape got to Al Jazeera?
Jill Carroll Kidnapped
Our prayers are with you Jill.
Don’t believe CAIR is helping for Jills sake. They are no angels.
Read about the real CAIR
Slaughter of innocent muslims in countries in which they believed they are free to pursue life liberty and happiness will be the retribution of the continued kidnapping and execution of innocent journalists. Violence only leads to more violence. Men, use your heads instead of your testosterone.
This is Bullshit. Dumb idiots cant tell what right and whats wrong they are blinded their interpretation of their own religioun and the ignorance of their local leaders.