The Palestinian president and prime minister were intervening
Tuesday in the case of two Fox News journalists who have been
kidnapped and remain missing.
President Mahmoud Abbas and Ismail Haniyeh, the prime minister
of the Hamas-led government, scheduled meetings with the news
organization's Jerusalem bureau chief, Eli Fastman, and its chief
correspondent in Israel, Jennifer Griffin.
Investigators said the president's office was closely following
the probe into the abduction.
Steve Centanni, 60, a US citizen, and Olaf Wiig, 36, of New
Zealand, were seized by masked gunmen near the headquarters of the
Palestinian security services.
No one has claimed responsibility for Monday's kidnapping, and
police said no one has come forward with demands. Major militant
groups denied they had anything to do with the abduction.
Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand dispatched diplomats
to Gaza to assist in any contacts for their release. She said in
Wellington she was "very concerned" about the kidnapping.
Wiig's wife, Anita McNaught, said Fox representatives told her
negotiations for their release were already under way. But
officials in Gaza said no contact had been established with the
kidnappers.
Nabil Abu Rdeina, an Abbas aide, said the president ordered all
security forces to work on tracking the two journalists. "This is
an unacceptable act. We condemn this operation and hope we will
succeed to find a peaceful solution very soon," he said.
An investigator in the case, speaking on condition of anonymity,
said suspicions were focusing on a renegade group from an
established Palestinian militant organization, but he declined to
give further details. The car in which the journalists were taken
has been identified, he said.
Centanni was behind the wheel of the Fox vehicle, marked in
large letters "TV," when the gunmen pulled up and stopped them, a
Fox employee said. A Palestinian who was with them was forced onto
the floor at gunpoint, and the two journalists were taken away.
An official following the investigation said the getaway car was
spotted driving south along the coastal road.
Police and security forces were deployed at major intersections
and roads in Gaza immediately after the kidnapping.
Several foreigners have been kidnapped in Gaza by small groups
seeking the release of relatives from jail, jobs or other personal
favors. All have been freed within hours or a few days without
harm.
(China Daily August 16, 2006)
