GAZA CITY, 26 August 2006 — Palestinian Interior Minister Siad Siam said yesterday that efforts to win the release of two Western journalists snatched in Gaza were “encouraging,” 24 hours before a deadline from their captors expires.
“Contacts are underway with Palestinian groups who are trying to secure the release of the two journalists. Things are at an early stage but they are encouraging,” the minister told reporters in Gaza City.
He was speaking one day before an ultimatum for the United States to release all Muslim prisoners in its custody, set by their kidnappers is to expire.
The hostages were working for the US Fox News television network when they were snatched from a Gaza City street on Aug. 14 and bundled into a car.
Olaf Wiig, a freelance cameraman, comes from New Zealand and his producer colleague, Steve Centanni, from the United States.
There had been no news about their fate until Wednesday when the pair — looking healthy and relaxed — appeared in a videotape released in conjunction with a statement from the previously unknown group holding them.
The so-called Holy Jihad Brigades demanded that all Muslim prisoners in the United States be released within 72 hours, or Saturday at noon (0900 GMT) but did not say what would happen if the demands were not met.
The US State Department rejected the demands, insisting the pair be released unconditionally, although US officials in the region have said they were working with Palestinian authorities to try to secure the men’s release.
Asked whether Palestinian security services had located the kidnappers, Siam said it was too “early” to say.
“That should remain secret in order to support the efforts and I hope that they will be released. There is reason to be encouraged,” added the minister.
The Hamas-led government, boycotted by the West, has repeatedly called for the two men to be released.
Wiig’s wife, Anita McNaught, has been in Gaza nearly continuously since the abduction and on Thursday issued another emotional appeal for their freedom.
New Zealand has said its officials in the region are continuing “intense consultation” with Palestinian authorities and others to secure the hostages’ freedom.
