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Saturday, April 01, 2006

Jill Carroll's statement 
During my last night of captivity, my captors forced me to participate in a propaganda video. They told me I would be released if I cooperated. I was living in a threatening environment, under their control, and I wanted to go home alive. So I agreed.

Things that I was forced to say while captive are now being taken by some as an accurate reflection of my personal views. They are not. The people who kidnapped me and murdered Alan Enwiya are criminals, at best. They robbed Alan of his life and devastated his family. They put me, my family and my friends - all those around the world - who have prayed so fervently for my release - through a horrific experience. I was, and remain, deeply angry with the people who did this.

I also gave a TV interview to the Iraqi Islamic Party shortly after my release. The party had promised me the interview would never be broadcast or aired on television, and they broke their word. At any rate, fearing retribution from my captors, I did not speak freely. Out of fear I said I wasn't threatened. In fact, I was threatened many times.

Also, at least two false statements about me have been widely aired: One, that I refused to travel and cooperate with the U.S. military and two, that I refused to discuss my captivity with U.S. officials. Again, neither statement is true.

I want to be judged as a journalist, not as a hostage. I remain as committed as ever to fairness and accuracy - to discovering the truth - and so I will not engage in polemics. But let me be clear: I abhor all who kidnap and murder civilians, and my captors are clearly guilty of both crimes.

Now, I ask for the time to heal. This has been a taxing 12 weeks for me and for my family. Please allow us some quiet time alone, together.

- Jill Carroll


Note the use of the term "murdered." Appropos.

I say again, Ms. Carroll did what she had to do to stay alive. I regard anyone who wrote accusingly about her from a position of safety concerning anything she said or did in captivity, with a gun to her head, to be no gentleman.

I have no problem with Jill whatsoever.

Well, except maybe those glasses. Other than that, she's ok in my book.

Splash, out

Jason

Comments:
She's no James Stockdale. But then few people are...
 
I thought you were going to go for the red meat bashing. Good job on seeing through this one. Ditto on the glasses.

Mark Salas
 
This could well be the turning point in the propaganda war. I hope she recovers quickly, and Bush goes to see her and the result is a powerful, truthful counterpropaganda.
 
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