Winks Blog

American Hostage Claimed to Have been Killed Today

Good morning,

FROM AP:

A statement signed by an Iraqi insurgent group said Thursday in an Internet posting that it killed a kidnapped U.S. security consultant. The claim's authenticity could not be immediately verified.

The statement, posted on an Islamic militant Web forum, did not identify the hostage and provided no pictures, video or other evidence he had been killed. It said pictures of the slaying would be released later. The U.S. Embassy said it had no information to confirm the claim.
It was the first time in more than a year that an insurgent group announced the slaying of an American hostage.

The Islamic Army in Iraq said it had killed "the American security consultant for the Housing Ministry," after the United States failed to respond to its demand of the release of Iraqi prisoners.

A video issued by the group was broadcast Tuesday on Al-Jazeera showing the hostage _ identified as Ronald Schulz, 40, an industrial electrician from Alaska _ sitting with his hands tied behind his back.

The group Thursday blamed President Bush for failing to respond to its demands.
"The war criminal Bush continues his arrogance, giving no value to people's lives unless they serve his criminal, aggressive ways. Since his reply (to the demands) was irresponsible, he bears the consequences of his stance," the statement said.
"Therefore the American security consultant for the Housing Ministry was killed after the end of the deadline set to respond to the Islamic Army's demands," it said.
On Tuesday, Bush said the United States will work for the return of captive Americans in Iraq but would not submit to terrorist tactics. "We, of course, don't pay ransom for any hostages," Bush said.

"What we will do, of course, is use our intelligence-gathering to see if we can't help locate them," Bush said.

Another insurgent group, the Swords of Righteousness, has set a Saturday deadline, threatening to kill four Christian humanitarian workers abducted two weeks ago, including an American, two Canadians and a Briton. A French aid worker and a German citizen are also currently being held by kidnappers.

posted by Wink @ 10:45 AM