Kember Released

I heard about this, this morning. Absolutely fantastic news especially as one of the men abducted at the same time was found dead a couple of weeks back. What a tremendous relief to all of his family, friends and colleagues who have been working tirelessly to get him released unharmed.

Courtesy of ITV News:

British hostage Norman Kember released
11.57AM, Thu Mar 23 2006

British hostage Norman Kember and two Canadian colleagues have been released in Iraq after a pre-planned military operation.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has already spoken to Mr Kember's wife Pat. "She is delighted, elated with this news," he said.

The three were rescued in a military operation which involved British forces. Tony Blair's spokesman said British forces took a "prominent" role in the rescue operation, but refused to comment further for fear of compromising any future hostage situations.

Mr Straw said: "The three hostages, Norman Kember, the British hostage, and two Canadians have been released as a result of a multinational forces operation which took place earlier today.

"It follows weeks and weeks of very careful work by our military and coalition personnel in Iraq and many civilians as well."

Mr Kember is in reasonable health, but the two Canadians are believed to have received medical attention. All three are now in Iraq's Green Zone.

Officials have refused to say if there were any casualties or if any arrests were made.

Mr Kember, from Pinner, Middlesex, had been in captivity with two Canadian hostages, James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, and an American Tom Fox, 54, since they were snatched in Baghdad on November 26

The four were taken hostage by a mysterious group called the Swords of Righteousness Brigade. Mr Fox was killed by his captors earlier this month.

The four hostages travelled to Iraq last year as a "gesture of solidarity" with the Canada-based group Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT).

The Rev Alan Betteridge, friend of Mr Kember for more than 40 years, said: "If it is true we are immensely relieved and thankful, especially after the death of Tom Fox, which made us very fearful.

"We were praying for his release this morning. We have been praying for them every day."
 
Wonderful news - thank God it was the SAS, because if it was the Americans trying it, everyone would be shot to bits by now, but a sad note to think that their US colleague Tom Fox did meet a cruel death after so long in captivity. I hope all three make full recoveries, and don't try this again!
 
Just heard a piece on Radio 5 where one of the peace group was not happy that troops had been used to facilitate the release.

They feel that lives were endangered and if they had been consulted they would have said no to the 'rescue'.
 
Well, if that's what they said I don't agree with them but you have to acknowledge that they are not hypocrites and are true to their convictions
 
Brian, does the "if" signify doubts about my post or about the BBC report?


Or am I being just a little thin-skinned? (does seem the fashionable thing on here) :D
 
Don't worry, Colin, next time Brian says he's heard there's a good word for Tinkywinky in the 4.30 at Warwick, you'll trust have to trust, even if you can't verify... <_<
 
Quite possibly. What do we care, if it got some blokes back where they belong? (At home with their church groups, not getting in the way of people who view well-meaning do-gooders as possible, if not actual, spies for the opposition forces.) Deals are being done all the time everywhere - some have better outcomes than others.
 
A report I saw/heard suggested word had got back to the captors that an SAS-led rescue mission was under way as a result of information received from a detainee and the captors got off their marks.

I'm not sure I would call it a deal, unless "Hang about and you die, go away and you live to fight another day, deal or no deal?" was the deal.
 
Wimps! Don't tell me terror cells are going soft now! Any self-respecting group with a decent name to uphold should stand and fight to the last man. I think that's a worrying sign that Bush 'n' Blair might be winning the war on terror, and that soon they'll have to divert attention to building hospitals that are actually stocked with life-saving drugs, are clean, and that nearly represent the high standards of care that Iraqis used to get before Saddam was deposed. Maybe the Marines will even have to be diverted to getting electricity supplies back on, and the Army Corps of Engineers will be looking at providing safe, clean water to the population - Jeez, just how radical can it all get?
 
:o I have a point to highlight with regards this guy; he was warned as to the consequences of going to a war zone but still he went...

Through his actions he could have caused people to be maimed or killed!!!(In his rescue) o/k he being a pacifist tried to get his point over that the warring factions were not backed by a large percentage of people (but aint that a generalisation in any war?) not all people agree with war.

But to put other people’s lives in jeopardy because of his doctrines-philosophy it really stinks in my eyes!! And I am sorry if these people wish to become martyrs and to forfeit their lives well so be it, but don’t look to other people to save their lives when in trouble, I personally have not got a lot of time for people such as him and the turmoil they cause............. :huh:
 
He went to the war zone when he knew he was going to be in danger then when the soldiers go to rescue and save him he doesn't thank them.

Looks like Mr Kember is being a touch selfish to me.
 
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