Video: Japanese Hostage to Be Beheaded

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041026/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_japanese_hostage&cid=540&ncid=1480

CAIRO, Egypt - A video on a militant Islamic Web site Tuesday showed a captive it said was a Japanese man kidnapped by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's group and threatened to behead him within 48 hours unless Japan pulls its troops from Iraq (news - web sites).

The man, who appeared in a white T-shirt, was identified only as someone connected to the Japanese armed forces. He spoke briefly in English and Japanese, before one of three masked militants standing behind him read a statement.

"They want to withdraw the Japanese troops from Iraq or cut my head," the man said.

more

[maddezmom]

1. and earlier today: Insurgent Group Claims 11 Iraqi Hostages

Insurgent Group Claims 11 Iraqi Hostages


BAGHDAD, Iraq - An Iraqi insurgent group said on its Web site Tuesday it had taken 11 Iraqi National Guard soldiers hostage and showed pictures of them in uniform.



The Ansar al-Sunnah Army said the troops were captured on the highway between Baghdad and Hillah but did not say when they were seized. The posting included the names of all 11.


The authenticity of the posting could not immediately be verified.


The movement claimed responsibility for a number of attacks and hostage takings, including the kidnap and murder of 12 Nepalese, who were seized in August.
more:http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&nci...

[leetrisck]

2. And - mr.bush - where is Pvt. Maupin?

Have you forgotten him? Have we left him behind? Has his family been told anything?

[ShinPath]

3. Here in Japan

Nothing reported yet, but that is normal. Fretting is the national sport here.

[demokatgurrl]

4. Has anything been heard about Margaret Hassan? n/t

[TNOE]

6. Call me crazy

But Hassan doesn't seem like the rest - a Brit gets kidnapped just as Tony Blair has to ask for more troops? I'm skeptical on this one.

[nodehopper]

8. I was just going to ask that

I check for news of her every day and nothing

[Chicago Democrat]

7. Welcome freind!

Welcome to DU!!!

What do the Japanese think about the deployment and war?

[ShinPath]

5. Story confirmed

Japanese TV is running with the film of a young Japanese in a white T-shirt calmly asking PM Koizumi to withdraw the Japanese Self Defense Force contingent from Iraq.