Kidnapped journo begs for life
2005-02-16 14:39
Todd Pittman
Baghdad - Sobbing and clasping her hands together in prayer, kidnapped Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena appeared on a new video on Wednesday pleading for her life and calling on United States-led troops to pull out of Iraq.
"You must end the occupation, it's the only way we can get out of this situation," Sgrena said in the videotape, obtained by Associated Press Television News. There was no indication from the tape when it was made.
Rocking back and forth and struggling to hold back tears, Sgrena appeared alone in the brief footage, only her shadow visible on a white background behind her. In the upper left corner of the image, the words "Mujahedeen Without Borders" appeared in digital red Arabic script.
"I ask the Italian government, the Italian people struggling against the occupation, I ask my husband, please, help me," Sgrena said in French. "You must do all you can to end the occupation. I'm counting on you, you can help me."
Against the occupation
The 56-year-old reporter for the communist daily Il Manifesto was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in a hail of gunfire on Feb. 4 outside a mosque where she was covering a Friday sermon near Baghdad University.
Since then, conflicting claims about her case have appeared on Islamic militant websites. One said she had been killed, another said she would soon be released, and yet another said her fate depended on whether Italy would quickly withdraw troops from Iraq. The Italian Foreign Ministry has said it has doubts about all such web statements.
In the APTN footage, Sgrena spoke in both Italian and French and wore a light green jacket and shirt. She appeared in good health, but looked tired and was clearly anxious, locking her fingers together and shaking her hands as if begging.
Speaking in apparent reference to her husband, she said before breaking into tears: "Pierre, you help me. You have always been by my side in all my battles, I beg you, help me. Show all the pictures I have taken of the Iraqis, of the children hit by the cluster bombs, of the women. I beg you. Help me help me to demand the withdrawal of the troops, help me spare my life."
At one point, her eyes watering as she struggled to recite her message, she waved the camera to stop.
"These people don't want foreigners here, nobody should come to Iraq at this time," she said. "Not even journalists. Nobody."
It is not known who kidnapped the journalist. Italy has said it will not pay a ransom to win her release.
Italian government officials and Sgrena's colleagues have publicised the journalist's pacifist convictions in hopes it might help win her release.
Il Manifesto strongly opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq. It has fiercely criticised Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi's decision to deploy 3 000 troops in the US-led multinational force in Iraq. - AP
- SAPA