Monday, March 19, 2007

Johnston Update: He's a "Friend" of the Pals

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said on Monday it was increasingly concerned about the safety of one of its journalists, Alan Johnston, who it believes was abducted in Gaza a week ago.

In a statement released in London, the broadcaster urged anyone with influence in the region to do all they can to ensure the safe release of Johnston, who has not been seen since March 12 when he left the BBC’s office to drive to his Gaza City home.

“Although we have not been able to establish exactly what has happened to Alan, it seems certain that he has been abducted and is being held somewhere in the Gaza Strip,” the BBC said.

“It is disappointing that after seven days there has still been no firm word either about his whereabouts or his condition.

“We call on everyone with influence on this situation to redouble their efforts now that Alan has been missing for more than one week.”

=============

And his father has something to say:-

In a televised appeal for information from the family home in Argyll, Graham Johnston said his son had made friends with many Palestinians while working in Gaza.

"This holding Alan is not doing the Palestinian people any favours, quite the opposite," he said.

"It is no way to treat a friend of the Palestinian people, and all I can say to the men who are holding Alan is: please let my son go, now, today."

No comments: