Peace activist hostages freed by `occupiers' of Iraq

Norman Kember

Three western peace activists abducted in Iraq last November were freed by a multinational force which stormed the hideout west of Baghdad where the activists – two Canadians and a Briton - were held captive by terrorists. They were transferred to the British Embassy in the Green Zone.

The fourth hostage, an American named Tom Fox, was found in Baghdad two weeks ago, shot and tortured.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Norman Kember, 74, was in “reasonable” condition, while Canadians Harmeet Sooden and Jim Loney were treated in a hospital before they were transferred to the British Embassy.

One of life's little ironies is that these three people...who's group denounced the `illegal occupation of Iraq' were saved from certain death by the forces of those violent `occupiers' they worked so dilligently to demonize.

Nor has the group learned anything!

Speaking in Toronto, Doug Pritchard, co-director of the Christian Peacemakers Teams these men belonged to said : "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 today.The occupation must end."

Not even a thank you to the brave men who risked their lived to save his comrades..including Canada's elite JTF-2 special forces, a first for Canadian involvement in Iraq.

Hopefully Jill Carroll will be next.