Arab media plea for French woman

Maybe I missed it but did anybody hear any Arab pleas for the American hostages?

The BBC reports "A group of Arab journalists have called for the release of a French reporter who went missing in Iraq on 5 January."

They said they would do all they could to raise awareness in the Arab world of the plight of Florence Aubenas and interpreter Hussein Hanoun Al-Saadi.

I seem to remember the Arab press showing captured US soldiers during the Iraq war. And I seem to remember them showing the beheading of Americans. I just don't remember them raising "awareness in the Arab world of the plight" of Americans.

Among the journalists to call for their release - if they have indeed been kidnapped - are the editor and publisher of influential pan-Arab newspaper al-Quds and several journalists at the most watched Arab television stations, al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya.

Don't remember any of these guys calling for the release of US hostages either. You?

My, my, but what's this little nugget tucked away in all this awareness raising for the French? "if they have indeed been kidnapped " What's that all about? Does the BBC know something we don't? Or do they read my blog?

Back on December 22nd I posted about the strange circumstances surrounding some of the kidnappings in Iraq. Now the BBC seem to have some doubts about this one.

The Arab media has played an important role in a number of kidnappings of Westerners in Iraq - including that of two other French journalists, now both released - by acting as a way for governments, families and charities to appeal directly to the hostage-takers.

It has also given voice to the many expressions of outrage and condemnation in the Arab world over the kidnapping and killing of Westerners in Iraq.

Notice how in the article, the BBC always use the term "Westerners", which implies it includes Americans. I just don't remember any outrage expressed over the horrors committed on Americans. In fact I seem to recall how they rejoiced.

But hey, the BBC, Al Jazeera, what's the difference?
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