Kidnapper demand US release detained Iraqi women

Following the appearance of journalist Jill Carol, who works for the Christian Science Monitor and kidnapped ten days ago in Iraq, in a video tape broadcast by al-Jazeera satellite TV, the US State Department did not comment on the content of the tape and to what extent it is authentic.

The spokesman for the US State Department confined to saying that his country will make best efforts to collaborate with the Iraqi authorities to release Carol, but without discussing whether Washington is studying the possibility of meeting the demands set by the kidnappers. The kidnappers have asked for the release of Iraqi women prisoners within 72 hours so as to prevent the execution of the journalist.

An unidentified group calling itself Groups Of Revenge claimed responsibility for kidnapping the journalist.

Meantime, Reporters Without Borders said "We appeal to the press of the entire world, especially in the Arab countries, to speak out in support of Carroll..The media must not limit themselves to reporting the news, they must themselves call for Carroll's release. Muslim organizations in the United States must also intervene. Their help is valuable. Real solidarity with Carroll must be urgently demonstrated. People must act as quickly as possible and with the same energy as with previous hostages. Carroll's US nationality must not be allowed to hold back the show of support."

Reporters Without Borders added "We remind Carroll's kidnappers that she is a journalist who has just done her job, which is to describe the conditions in which Iraqis are living. She is not responsible for the US government's decisions."