ALAN JOHNSON: Still Alive
It turns out that kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnson has been featured in a video just released by the "Army of Islam." I haven't seen the video yet, but Pat Dollard is all over it!
No word on whether he was merely restating the BBC's official policy towards Israel, or whether he was reading a script provided by his captors.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Kidnapped British reporter Alan Johnston appeared Friday in a videotape posted on an Islamic militant Web site, saying his captors had treated him well, denouncing Israel and blasting Britain’s Mideast policy. It was the first sign of life from him since he was abducted almost three months ago.Video of Alan Johnson, found on an Islamic militant web site.
There was no way to tell when the video was recorded, and it was not clear why his captors chose this time to post it. The British Broadcasting Corp. journalist, who has been covering the Palestinian territories for three years, has a reputation for objectivity, and it seemed likely he was reciting what he was told to say.
The videotape appeared on the Al-Ekhlaas Web site, frequently used by Islamic militants. It bore the logo of the Army of Islam, the shadowy Palestinian group that had been believed to be holding the 45-year-old reporter.
Johnston looked fit and calm during the three minutes he spoke.
“My captors have treated me very well, they’ve fed me well, there has been no violence towards me at all and I am in good health,” he said in his opening remarks—then launched into a diatribe against Israel and British Mideast policy.
“In three years here in the Palestinian territories I witnessed the huge suffering of the Palestinian people, and my message is that the suffering is continuing and it is unacceptable,” he said, blaming Israel.
No word on whether he was merely restating the BBC's official policy towards Israel, or whether he was reading a script provided by his captors.
