French Journalists Freed in Iraq
The two French journalists apparently kidnapped in Iraq have apparently been released, in return for France’s weak-kneed appeasement policies (and possibly a ransom payment): French journalists freed in Iraq.
Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin earlier announced the news to parliament, talking of his “profound joy” at the release.
Thierry Chesnot, brother of Christian, said it was a “wonderful Christmas present” and added that he had been told by the French prime minister’s office that they were both in good health.
Reports conflicted as to whether the journalists were in Baghdad or Amman, in neighbouring Jordan.
Official French statements made no mention of any ransom being paid or other deal to secure the two men’s release.
Mr Chesnot and Mr Malbrunot are thought to have been the longest-held Western hostages in Iraq.
The French press ran a continuous campaign for their release.
Mr Chesnot, 37, was working for Radio France Internationale and Mr Malbrunot, 41, for Le Figaro daily newspaper.
They were taken with their Syrian driver, Mohammed al-Jundi, who was later found during the US-led assault on Falluja.
The journalists’ captors - the Islamic Army in Iraq (IAI) - initially demanded that France scrap a law banning Muslim headscarves from being worn in schools - a demand shunned by France.
They were later reported to have requested a ransom but a statement quoted by Arabic TV channel al-Jazeera on Tuesday said the reporters were freed for political reasons.
They were freed “because they were proven not to spy for US forces, in response to appeals and demands from Islamic institutions and bodies, and in appreciation of the French government’s stand on the Iraq issue and the two journalists’ stand on the Palestinian cause”, the IAI was quoted as saying.