Fox reporters kidnapped

[American Patriot]

Captive reporter has link to area [Steve Centanni]

San Jose Mercury News ^ | August 16, 2006 | Leslie Griffy



Family members of a Bay Area native and Fox News reporter kidnapped in the Gaza Strip are worried, but hopeful his abductors will release him.
Steve Centanni, 60, and his cameraman, Olaf Wiig, were driving through the Palestinian territory Monday when unknown gunmen stopped and kidnapped them.


Centanni graduated from Los Altos High in 1964 and worked for local radio stations and KRON-TV before joining Fox, said his brother, Ken Centanni, who lives in San Jose.


Fox News representatives called Ken Centanni and another brother, Nicholas Centanni, of Los Gatos, early Monday to tell them of their brother's kidnapping.


``We are a little bit nervous right now because we haven't heard anything one way or the other from the kidnappers,'' Nicholas Centanni said. ``We talked with'' the Fox News ``negotiators last night, but they haven't heard from the kidnappers.''

(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...

[American Patriot]

Aug. 23, 2006, 8:14AM
New group claims Fox News kidnappings


© 2006 The Associated Press


GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — A previously unheard of Palestinian group, the Holy Jihad Brigades, claimed responsibility on Wednesday for kidnapping a Fox News cameraman and correspondent, Al-Jazeera satellite TV reported.


American correspondent Steve Centanni, 60, and cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, of New Zealand were kidnapped Aug. 14 from their TV van near the Palestinian security services headquarters in Gaza City. Although Palestinian militant groups have often seized foreigners, including members of the media, this is the longest any have been held.

[American Patriot]

JPost.com » International » Article

Aug. 20, 2006 20:54
New Zealand appeals for release of Fox journalists
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip
An ambassador from New Zealand said Sunday that he was "very concerned" about the safety of two kidnapped Fox News journalists, and urged their unknown kidnappers to "please release these men."


The ambassador, Peter Ridder, spoke outside the office of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza City shortly after the two men met. Ridder arrived in the area several days ago to lead a delegation working to free cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, of New Zealand, who was seized Monday along with American correspondent Steve Centanni, 60, from their TV van near the Palestinian security services headquarters in Gaza City.


Earlier Sunday, Centanni's brother Ken appealed for his brother's safety.
"Please contact our family," Ken Centanni urged the kidnappers. "Let us know he is alive and unharmed." Centanni's comments, first shown on Fox television, were later aired on the Arab satellite TV station, Al-Jazeera.

[American Patriot]

[American Patriot]

Transcript: Family of Kidnapped Journalist Release Statement
Saturday, August 19, 2006

The following is a transcript of a statement from the brother and sister of FOX News correspondent Steve Centanni, who was kidnapped along with FOX News cameraman Olaf Wiig from their TV van near the Palestinian security services headquarters in Gaza City on Monday:

GINA CENTANNI -- "We deeply believe that all human beings share a common longing for peace. Even when we are driven by desperation or fear or rage, the most authentic part of any human being is our ability to access our humanity. Remember how to love and how to tolerate and understand.


Nobody believes this more than Steve. So, in that sense, he's our brother but he is your brother too. And to Steve we want to say that we love you and that we're thinking about you every minute of every day. We're feeling lots of emotions right now but the one thing we're not feeling is despair. You are a man of courage, compassion, integrity and hope. We've taken comfort in the absolute knowledge that if anybody can hang in there in a situation like this, you can. We feel sure that you're going to be OK. See you soon."


KEN CENTANNI -- "Our brother, Steve Centanni, was kidnapped on August 14th, last Monday. I would like his captors to know that Steve is an honorable man who always tries to do what is right. Steve has strong respect for the Palestinian people and their culture. Steve was in Gaza with Olaf Wiig to report the truth. He is far more valuable to the Palestinian people free as a journalist than as a captive. We love Steve very much and now his health, his safety and his life is your responsibility. Please, contact our family. Let us know that he is alive and unharmed."

[American Patriot]

FOX news was reporting a few moments ago that the group that kidnapped these two reporters have given notice that all "palestinian prisioners in the US" (????) will be released within 72 hours".

(I'm pretty sure I did not mishear what I typed above.)

[American Patriot]

Al Jezera reports Holy Jihad Brigades... is reporting the US has 72 hours to release "MUSLIM PRISONERS" in the US, they did not name the prisoners.

So, this is most likely a group who is simply making demands of the US, after having kidnapped these two reporters and this was the first thing they could think of.

Prayers for kidnapped American and New Zealander, Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig.

This is the biggest bunch of BS I've ever seen, kidnapping news reporters and holding them hostage is going to accomplish NOTHING except piss people off.

[American Patriot]

FOX currently reporting there is a video tape soon to be released regarding these reporters. Al-Jezerra has this tape.

The gentlemen are apparently OK, alive, been treated well and in good health.

A leaflet was received with the tape as well.

It issues a statement regarding the "oppression of muslims around the world".

[American Patriot]

New Group Claims Fox News Kidnappings
BreitBart ^ | August 23, 2006



A previously unheard of Palestinian group, the Holy Jihad Brigades, claimed responsibility on Wednesday for kidnapping a Fox News cameraman and correspondent, Al-Jazeera satellite TV reported.


American correspondent Steve Centanni, 60, and cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, of New Zealand were kidnapped Aug. 14 from their TV van near the Palestinian security services headquarters in Gaza City. Although Palestinian militant groups have often seized foreigners, including members of the media, this is the longest any have been held.

[Jag]

Rick, any idea if or how many Palestinian prisoners we have in the U.S.? Muslim yes, just not sure about Palestinain.

Jag

[American Patriot]

I think that perhaps the reporter misstated that information, because a bit later, if you note, I posted "muslim prisoners". I was typing that in as they were saying it.

So, I was a bit confused myself. I'm honestly NOT aware of any Palistinians who've found themsevlves in American jails. /shrug

[Jag]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/world...1701-7888r.htm

August 23, 2006

12:42 p.m.
GAZA CITY

"We are going to exchange the Muslim female and male prisoners in American jails in return for the prisoners that we have. We are going to give you 72 hours beginning midnight tonight to take your decision," Ramattan quoted the statement as saying.


Jag

[American Patriot]

And at the end of 72 hours, what will they do? Kill the hostages? Release them anyway? Will they make some other less outrageous demands?

Or will they make more outrageous demands?

What has been found out by Fox in interviewing the Palestinians in the Gaza in the past few days is that NO ONE THINKS THIS IS A GOOD THING.

If reporters PULL out of Gaza based on this nonsense, then they get no more publicity....

bad news for Palestine, eh?

Let's wait and see, but I think that they will end up having to let these two guys go sooner or later.