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March 02, 2007

Westerners Kidnapped in Ethiopia

So far, it seems to be a bad week for French nationals abroad. Four French were murdered in Saudi Arabia, three French were killed in Brazil and now 10 French have allegedly been kidnapped in Ethiopia. To make matters worse, it also appears that some British citizens were taken along with the French.

Ten French tourists were kidnapped in northern Ethiopia today by unknown people, a businessman and a tour operator who work in the region said.
The tourists were in a convoy of four vehicles in Dalol, 800 kilometres north-east of Addis Ababa, travelling to salt mines in the Afar region when they were kidnapped, said the businessman, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

As for the Brits, another source reports that five British citizens have gone missing along with the French nationals. One is believed to be Rossanna Moore, wife of Michael Moore, Director of the British Council in Ethiopia.

Unfortunately, the location of the alleged kidnappings is quite remote and in difficult terrain so it may take time to sort out the entire story. A rebel group, the Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front (Arduf), is known to operate in the area and it may be responsible for the kidnappings.

No official confirmation of the kidnappings has been reported by Ethiopian authorities. Tony Blair, however, has been informed and is waiting for details.

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 09:08 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 227 words, total size 2 kb.

1 You know, maybe France's stance against Iraq, keeping out of Iraq, supplying jets and weaponry to rogue nations and refusing to put a decent effort towards Afghanistan isn't really helping their tourists and other French abroad. You would think that maybe they're just siding with their own enemy and will continue to suffer for it (see: riots). But hey, what do we know?

Posted by: MidnightSun at March 02, 2007 11:44 AM (nR/14)

2 Oh, forgot to state, I feel sorry for the British citizens that were kidnapped.

Posted by: MidnightSun at March 02, 2007 11:45 AM (nR/14)

3 And WHY ?? Why would you even want to consider the French as Westerners?

Posted by: memphis761 at March 02, 2007 11:52 AM (YHZAl)

4 the kidnappers probably saw the rolexes, volvos, wine sipping, rainbow flag t shirts covering flabby abs and figured they were American democrats. Once they figure out they are french, they'll let them go becuase no one wants them. (Wait till they find out we'd be more likely to pay to get french back if gievn a choice)

Posted by: wb at March 02, 2007 11:55 AM (ASQZ1)

5 Guys, I'm not going to say anything except I hope all the kidnap victims return safe. When humans beings get taken by thugs, and murderers, its the correct position. USA, all the way!

Posted by: Michael Weaver at March 02, 2007 07:33 PM (2OHpj)

6 France out of Ethiopia!

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at March 04, 2007 10:35 AM (eGb9y)

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March 02, 2007

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