The CPT hostage ordeal is over

CNN is reporting that Coalition forces have located and freed the remaining three Christian Peacemaker Team members held captive by the "Swords of Righteousness Brigades". Kudos to the special ops guys for getting these guys home safe, but the celebration is certainly marred by the loss of American Tom Fox.

Several items in this story are a bit interesting, such as:

Officials said no kidnappers were in the area when the men were found and there were no casualties in the operation. Doug Pritchard of Christian Peacemaker Teams also told reporters in Toronto the hostages were unguarded. He said no gunshots were fired.

Obviously we need more info on this, since the average person would ask "why didn't they just try to run for it?" Another discrepancy is noted in the CNN story:

The hostages' hands were tied but they were in "relatively good condition" when they were found in a house in western Baghdad, a U.S. military official said.

Meanwhile, an Iraqi spokesman said,

Iraqi police Lt. Col. Falah al-Mohammedawi said it was believed the operation took place in Mishahda, 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of Baghdad, AP reported.

This could be deliberate disinformation-- after all the 'Swords boys' are still at large. But the fact the hostages were left unguarded suggests the possibility it was time for them to 'get found'. Perhaps the reason Mr. Fox didn't fare as well (other than being an American) is that we was sold to a Zarqawi-backed cell who killed him for PR.

As the story noted, the CPT didn't waste any time trashing the war:

...We believe that the illegal occupation of Iraq by Multinational Forces is the root cause of the insecurity which led to this kidnapping and so much pain and suffering in Iraq. The occupation must end...

...We pray that Christians throughout the world will, in the same spirit, call for justice and for respect for the human rights of the thousands of Iraqis who are being detained illegally by the U.S. and British forces occupying Iraq...

...We renew our commitment to work for an end to the war and the occupation of Iraq as a way to continue the witness of Tom Fox. We trust in God’s compassionate love to show us the way...

I suppose Quakers gotta do what Quakers gotta do, and I don't mean to say the team wasn't doing the Lord's work over there (check out the pix on their their web site) or that they didn't oppose Saddam's brutality back in the day.

But where was the condenmation of the actors of brutality themselves--from the Zarqawis to the Saddamists to the al-Sadrs? If the CPT can blame the American occupation for the lack of security leading to the kidnapping, why not blame the malcontents, too? After all, without their actions the country would be fairly stable right now.

MORE 3/23/06

Still something a bit weird about this story, however I would describe the feeling as vague, not overpowering. There is no question Mr. Kember and the others were 'activists' by definition, but that doesn't automatically mean they were up to no good in Iraq. As Mr. Kember's wife described it:

Speaking from her north London home, she said his decision to go to Iraq was "a bit silly," but added "I knew that he felt he must do something and he's getting old, and if he (didn't) do something ... it would be too late."

As to the CPT outfit, when the hostages were first taken they immediately appealed to Congressional Democrats to speak out against the war. Maybe that's what's stuck in my craw. Also, consider the following paragraph:

The Christian Peacemaker Teams volunteers have been in Iraq since October 2002, investigating allegations of abuse against Iraqi detainees by coalition forces. The group says its teams promote peaceful solutions in conflict zones.

..in context with this previous report. Notice today's report makes the ridiculous claim they came to Iraq BEFORE THE WAR to investigate Coalition abuses at Abu Ghraib.

3/24/06

Michelle Malkin points out there are no signs of CPT people rushing to the defense of Mr. Rahman in Afghanistan. Perhaps they'll recommend he convert back to Islam so as to avoid any violence.

MORE DETAILS 3/26/06

LGF links to a story out of Toronto detailing the disgust expressed by the Iraqi Embassy:

"The Christian Peacemaker Teams practises the kind of politics that automatically nominate them as dupes for jihadism and fascism," the embassy's statement said.

Additionally,

The Daily Telegraph in London is reporting today that the Christian activists refused to fully co-operate with an intelligence unit sent to debrief them. Based on an interview with a security source, the newspaper claims the activists said co-operating would contradict their Christian principles.

It's not surprising they wouldn't help the Coalition (who rescued them) shut down these cells, after all violence might ensue. Yet, such round-about logic lands them smack dab on the side of the terrorists, who themselves commit violence, and who themselves will kidnap and harm more innocents. Add it up for yourself. Or if you're too lazy for math, just read this.