Hints of al-Qaida role in BBC kidnapping

Source: Associated Press

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - An al-Qaida-linked Web site posted a recording from the purported kidnappers of a BBC correspondent Wednesday — along with the reporter's press card — in sign of possible involvement by the terrorist network.

Palestinian security officials said they believed the group claiming to hold Alan Johnston — the Army of Islam — may have had foreign help, but stopped short of naming al-Qaida. It remained unclear whether the shadowy Palestinian group already has ties with al-Qaida or was merely trying to attract its support.

Johnston, 44, was kidnapped March 12 in Gaza City by Palestinian gunmen. He has not been heard from since, and the recording was the first public statement from a group claiming to be holding him.

The fiery, 20-minute recording from the Army of Islam demanded that the British government "release our prisoners and particularly Sheik Abu Qatada, the Palestinian" in exchange for Johnston. Abu Qatada, a Jordanian of Palestinian origin, is accused of terrorist links and is awaiting deportation to Jordan from Britain.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070509/ap_on_re_mi_ea/palestinians_kidnapped_journalist_4;_ylt=AlCtlt9A9HlSxkIwPFf49wabOrgF

I seriously doubt that the British will release terror suspects for a BBC reporter. I also fear that an AQ link to any Palestinian group while being a nightmare for most Israelis is a dream come true for extreme right-wingers, it all the excuse needed to do a permanent dust-up in Gaza and the West Bank

AQ seems to think highly of him. Maybe the BBC could explain why he is locked up or what he most likely knows that AQ so desperatly wants to get hold of.