CNN Producer "Abducted" in Gaza

[Roguish Lawyer]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/...ted/index.html

CNN producer abducted in Gaza
Monday, September 27, 2004 Posted: 5:45 PM EDT (2145 GMT)

GAZA CITY (CNN) -- A group of armed men abducted a CNN producer in Gaza City on Monday.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the abduction of CNN producer Riad Ali, and the militant group Hamas condemned it.

"We emphasize that this ugly incident is a violation of the sanctity of journalism and contradicts the morals of the Palestinian people," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.

CNN correspondent Ben Wedeman said he, Ali and CNN photographer Mary Rogers had left their Gaza office in a taxi when a white Peugeot pulled in front of them, blocking their way, around 6:35 p.m. (11:35 a.m. ET).

Wedeman said a man in his early 20s and dressed in civilian clothes emerged from the car, stuck a revolver through the taxi window and "said to me in Arabic, 'Which one of you is Riad?' "

"We were dumbstruck at first, but Riad then said, 'I am Riad.' And then other men got out of the car that had pulled in front of us, and they were carrying AK-47 assault rifles, and they said to Riad, 'Get out of the car,' " Wedeman said.

He said Ali was forced into the back of the Peugeot, which then drove away. No one was injured.

Wedeman said the kidnappers made no attempt to cover their faces.

Wedeman said CNN has contacted Palestinian security authorities in Gaza, but there was no new information on Ali's status.

Ali, who is an Arab, has worked for the network for about two years, traveling extensively in Gaza and the West Bank as part of his assignments.

Wedeman described Ali as someone who has worked in Gaza "for several years and has good contacts." Ali had spent the morning trying to set up interviews, Wedeman said.

"He's somebody you can rely on to get a good reading of the local situation -- and certainly not the sort of person you would expect to fall into a situation like this," Wedeman said.

"We have always been able to operate here without too much trouble," he said.

At CNN headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, CNN President Jim Walton said, "We are working actively for Riad's safe return and are in touch with his family, offering them our full support during this difficult time. We have not yet heard from his abductors but urge them to release Riad immediately. He is a veteran journalist of the highest integrity."

[Roguish Lawyer]

So, what do you make of this story? Is this really a kidnapping? Security measure? Cover story for something?

[danjam]

Riad Ali Ghanemis a Druze.

I can see this having to do with a couple of things.
One a power show for Arafat, that he is still in control. Which he is.
Two, there might be a family/clan related.
Three, (Riad apparently did not serve in the IDF), Many Druze serve in the IDF , so perhaps it is against the Druze in general.

[Roguish Lawyer]

Originally Posted by danjam

Riad Ali Ghanemis a Druze.

Really? CNN can't seem to get its facts straight, then.

[danjam]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...=1096259491671

A little more info

p.s.
when has cnn had it's facts straight?? ;-)

[Airbornelawyer]

It's not a lack of "straight facts", it is a material omission. He is an Arab, as CNN states. Probably CNN, in its infinite wisdom on the region, thought that was enough to keep him safe. But as a member of a religious minority considered apostates by Islamists, he isn't exactly loved by Hamas, al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade and their ilk. Add to that the fact that many Druze serve in the IDF, and Palestinian suspicions could easily have been raised.

[danjam]

Looks like Arafat's own people carried out the kidnapping.

No answer as of yet why they took him, however taking a shot in the dark, I might guess that the people that took him wanted something from Arafat. They got his attention, and you can see the power that Arafat still holds in Gaza, that he got them to phone the chief of police to hand over Ali.

They asked him by name, so the omission of CNN is in my opinion a professional mistake, and not something done in order to protect him. Besides everyone in Israel and amongst the Palestinians heard that he was Druze, and probably could tell by his family name.

As mentioned, he himself did not serve in the IDF, his father did...... [edit: The Al Aksa Martyr Brigades that took Ali, released a video of Ali, and saying the the Druze should not serve in the IDF. ]

Hopefully we will hear the full story soon, when he gave the press conferance he was still very much in the hands of the Palestinian police.

[Sacamuelas]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/...ted/index.html