French hostages: New hope

2004-09-29 15:03

Cairo - A French negotiator told an Arab television network on Tuesday he has met with the French journalists held hostage in Iraq for over a month, and has secured a promise for their release.

"After a meeting with (the French journalists) them, and those representatives of the delegation, we were effectively able to talk of the liberation of Christian (Chesnot) and Georges (Malbrunot)," the negotiator said on the Al-Arabiya television station.

The negotiator did not give a time for the expected release, but a presenter at the Dubai-based station said the Frenchmen could be freed in the coming hours, perhaps as early as the next 48 hours.

The negotiators were also able to secure a promise from the kidnappers "to make an audio tape in which they announce the imminent release of the two," the negotiator said.

Kidnapped in August

Chesnot, Malbrunot and their Syrian driver, Mohamed al-Joundi, disappeared August 20 while travelling to the southern Iraqi city of Najaf. Militants calling themselves the Islamic Army in Iraq claimed responsibility, demanding that France revoke a new law banning Islamic headscarves from state schools. The law went into effect as planned with the new school year this month.

The French negotiator identified by the station as Philippe Brett said there was no demand for ransom.

"There is no money to be paid. The Iraqi people are honest and straight."

"We were able to reach this agreement without paying any money," the negotiator said.

When asked where and when he met the hostages, the negotiator said he wants to keep the details of the negotiations secret. He said their release has been previously delayed because of a security breach.

His comments, in a telephone interview, were made in French but were broadcast with an Arabic voiceover on Al-Arabiya.

'Call us directly'

Ali al-Duleimi, a tribal leader in Iraq, told the television station there are "fresh peaceful attempts" to solve the problem of the French hostages, confirming there are negotiations with the kidnappers.

"There are also renewed efforts from the (tribal) council and its executive authority to release the French," he said.

Al-Duleimi said he could not identify the hostage-takers "because they call us directly on our phones, and the number doesn't show."

He appealed to the kidnappers to release the journalists because of France's policies toward Iraq.

France opposed the war and has refused to commit troops to the United States-led coalition, which is fighting an insurgency in many parts of the country.

- AP