"to call for the immediate and unconditional release of the respected BBC journalist"

I second that. I also call or the immediate and unconditional release of Abu Qatada. Either try Qatada in a court of law or deport him to Palestine. And since that is Alan's captors only demand, quid may follow quo.



A mediator has been in contact with the group the "Army of Islam" responsibile for kidnapping BBC journalist Alan Johnston. Ghazi Hamad believes Johnston is alive and well and, on the release of Abu Qatada imprisoned since the bombings in London, he should be freed.

Johnston, 45, has been held captive since March 12. The Palestine government has been relentless in fighting for his freedom, so Mr.Hamed came to Britain by invitation to discuss the possibilities of his return.

A Foreign Office spokesman, commenting on Hamad's presence in Britain, a member of Hamas, said that British policy towards the Islamist group has not changed. "We don't engage with Hamas officials on policy discussions," he said.

 http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=62745

It was good to see video of Alan tonight. His hair grown in is proof that was reasonably recent. And I hope he is home asap.

So if the only demand is we deport Abu Qatada to Palestine, and since the UK is planning on deporting him to Jordan anyway, the only sticking point seems to be Blair refusing to 'lose face'. After he has killed so many British citizens for personal aggrandisement, I suppose one more weighs little on him. I'm sure any rational, half-competent primeminister could cut a deal where the Palestinian government try Abu Qatada and imprison him if guilty, and where the hostage takers release Alan. It is just a pity we don't have a rational, half-competent primeminister.