"dangerous and serious" deadlines, and makes clear she is in life danger, Ireland’s premier told parliament Tuesday, November 2.
The Arabic Al-Jazeera network refused to air the tape of the Dublin-born hostage, saying it was "too graphic," said Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.
His announcement came shortly after CARE urged her captors to release Hassan, who had headed its Iraq operations. "CARE has closed down all operations in Iraq. Please release Mrs. Hassan to her family and friends in Iraq," the organization said on its website.
"SUDDENLY FAINTING"
Prime Minister Ahern, who read the text of the video but hadn’t seen it, said he believes it shows the 59-year-old Hassan pleading for her life directly to the camera before suddenly fainting.
The kidnappers threatened to turn her over to an al-Qaida affiliated group within 48 hours if the British government refuses to pull its troops from Iraq, Al-Jazeera reported, the Associated Press (AP) monitored.
Ahern also said a bucket of water is thrown over her head and she is filmed lying wet and helpless on the ground before getting up and crying. The Irish family of Margaret Hassan visited Ahern to plead with him "to set her free," said Deirdre Fitzsimons, one of three sisters of the kidnapped woman.
WOMEN PRISONERS
"We have listened to your demands and begged Tony Blair and the British government to release the women prisoners and also not to move the troops, but we are Irish and we have no influence on the British government," the website of Britain’s ITV television quoted her as saying in Dublin.
Hassan is married to an Iraqi and has lived in the country for 30 years. She was born in Dublin and holds British and Iraqi passports. Ahern said he had seen the text of the video and described it as "distressing". The Koran is thought to have been used as a defense during the short video before a specific deadline and threats were issued, ITV television reported.
The latest incident has also added to concern among the Iraq’s minority Christians, who have also been subjected to kidnappings and attacks by Islamic militants, human rights groups and church leaders say.
With author: Stefan J. Bos
