“BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — U.S. and British forces have freed three Christian aid workers held hostage in Iraq, ending a four-month ordeal in which an American captive was found dead on a Baghdad street.
No shots were fired and no captors were present when the hostages — Briton Norman Kember, 74 and Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32 — were freed early Thursday, officials said.
“I am delighted that now we have a happy ending in this terrible ordeal,” British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said in announcing the rescue.”
This is good news. However, I am disappointed by this.
“Christian Peacemaker Teams posted a statement on its Web siteexternal link expressing joy in the hostages’ release but also criticizing the U.S.-led operation in Iraq.
“We believe that the illegal occupation of Iraq by Multinational Forces is the root cause of the insecurity which led to this kidnapping and so much pain and suffering in Iraq,” the statement said. “The occupation must end.”
It is irresponsible to place the blame for the kidnapping upon the coalition forces. The men who went to Iraq were adults and aware that they were intentionally placing themselves in harms way.
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