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4 Mar 2010
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Crossed Mauri about three weeks ago through NK, Aioun to Nioro, no problems. Though mauri army got crazy one evening when I did not show up at the next checkpoint. They thought I was going to sleep in Kiffa. I slept maybe 200 m from the road in the bushes, and was wondering why a helicopter is hanging around. In the morning a 4x4 full of soldiers stopped me and said they were looking for me all night. Hundred checkpoints and I really regreted having no fiche.
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4 Mar 2010
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Sounds like the Mauri army is trying hard.....
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5 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Al-Qaeda makes Spanish hostages demands
BAMAKO — Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has demanded the release of its members, particularly those jailed in Mauritania, in exchange for the release of three Spanish hostages, a negotiator said Friday.
"They (AQIM leaders) demand from now on the freedom of several Islamists, particularly those detained in Mauritania," the negotiator in Mali told AFP on condition of anonymity.
"They really insisted on the freedom of their combatants. Today I will tell that to the appropriate authority," he said, after returning from the northern Mali desert where the hostages are being held.
The Spanish press reported several weeks ago that AQIM had demanded a ransom for the release of the three Spanish aid workers, who were kidnapped in Mauritania on November 29.
Mauritania's Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdhaf on Thursday said that his government refused to negotiate with "terrorist groups" or make an exchange of prisoners for hostages in the hands of Islamic extremists.
But he added that his government was working hard to win the freedom of hostages captured on Mauritanian territory
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AFP
Regards
Ulrich
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10 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Near the release of the hostage Spanish Alicia Gámez and negotiations to free the remaining hostages
Sources especially for the desert near the media release of Spanish women who was kidnapped at the hands of al Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, Mauritania, official sources said that Spain arrived in Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso to receive her.
The release of the Spanish Alicia Gámez after arduous negotiations, mediated by Burkina Faso, according to sources confirmed to continue negotiations with the kidnappers for the release of the rest of the Spaniards and the husband of the kidnapped Italiana kidnapped in Mauritania after them a few days.
Al Qaeda has demanded a ransom of $ 5 million for the liberation of the hostages Spaniards, but the sources did not talk about the nature of the deal, which took place between the African mediators and al Qaeda.
The financial sources close to the file that Burkina Faso, the neighboring country, playing a "secret but effective" for the release of the hostages.
The Burkina Faso announced at the end of December it was "determined" that "get rid of the kidnappers," the couple Italians kidnapped in south-eastern Mauritania. And wife born in Ouagadougou.
As part of efforts to free the two women, the Special Envoy of the Italian Foreign Minister for Emergency and humanitarian assistance Margherita Boniver visit to Burkina Faso
The Italian Foreign Ministry in a statement that Boniver to renew her meeting with President Blaise Compaore of the Italian request to continue to explore all channels of communication that could lead to the liberation of Italian citizen Chikala Sergio and his wife (from Burkina Faso) Philomène KABORE
The ministry said in its statement that "the visit Boniver is of particular importance, especially as falling within the context of the tour made by the Minister Franco Frattini, in Mali and Mauritania recently," the statement said.
And would be Italian envoy Margherita Boniver talks with officials in Burkina Faso which also contribute to the revitalization and strengthening of political relations and cooperation ties between Rome and Ouagadougou
The Italian Chikala Sergio and his wife had been kidnapped in the nineteenth of December last year in eastern Mauritania, a few kilometers from the border with Mali, has adopted the so-called al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in an audio message calling the kidnapping ransom, while the last appearance for them through the registration Sound a few days before the Italians he appeals to the authorities in Rome to intervene to do everything possible to save his life and his wife.
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saharamedia
Ulrich
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10 Mar 2010
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Good news indeed Ulrich, hoping the men will be freed asap too.
BBC News - Spanish hostage in Africa freed
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10 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Al-Qaeda release of the hostage Spanish, and keep on Italian hostage
According to informed sources "Desert Media" that the hostage Spanish Alicia Gámez and arrived shortly before to the airport and Gadgo in Burkina Faso, after he was released by al-Qaeda, have not received any official reception at the airport, and continued its way into the country, with sources confirmed that the Italian hostage of Burkinabe Philomene KABORE Maintained by the rule for reasons not yet clear.
With conflicting stories about the reasons for keeping Al-Qaeda hostage Italian, some sources suggested that the Italian refused to release her without her husband, and insisted on remaining with him until that Italian authorities to end the suffering*.
It was one of the negotiators had financial Ssrah on Wednesday told AFP that the Spanish and Italian Alicia Gámez Philomène KABORE which were held in detention by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb is being released "and travel on to Burkina Faso" neighbors.
He said the negotiator on condition of anonymity that "Burkina Faso is concerned with all this issue. In fact, two women, Sarah and news on the way to go to Burkina Faso."
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Source: Saharamedia
* That's true love!
Regards
Ulrich
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10 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ulrich
* That's true love!
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Indeed.
Some woman. Isn't it strange her face has been pixilllated in the pictures they have published. Why, and by whom?
If they are looking for public support, kidnapping a Burkinian woman may have been a grave mistake.
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10 Mar 2010
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The pixallation has been applied to all women in the forced company of AQ-IM - starting I think with the Austrian woman taken in Tunisia. Its part of the AQ-IM take on life.
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11 Mar 2010
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Any new info?
Hi, is there any new info on the situation in Mauretania? We are setting of for a yourney from Poland to Gambia on 19th June and wondering how safe it will be to drive through Mauretania.
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12 Mar 2010
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Latest news and statement
Quote:
MADRID, March 12 (Reuters) - Al Qaeda is seeking a $5 million ransom and the release of imprisoned Islamist fighters as conditions to free two Spanish hostages kidnapped in Mauritania, newspaper El Pais said on Friday, citing sources familiar with the negotiations. ...
... Gamez was freed in Mali because she had converted to Islam and her health was delicate, the statement said.
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Reuters - Al Qaeda demands ransom, one Spanish hostage freed
There is also an statement and a video from AQIM (the criminals) on the net
Translated statement
Quote:
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
Release of the Spanish "Althea Gamit" after becoming Muslim
Hamad A. To God alone, victory to His slave, dearest recruited, and defeated the parties alone, and prayer and peace be upon the Prophet Almrahmp and epic, his family and companions pure and righteous, but after:
Continuing our coverage of the abduction issue in the Spaniards are pleased to inform the public opinion, including the following:
First: Due to the hostage Spanish Islam "Althea Gamit" the first place, and taking into account the circumstances of health on the other hand has decided Mujahideen released on 24/03/1431 AH, and Islam came the Spanish women and the desire of their own volition after the presentation of the teachings of the Mujahideen and laws of Islam, and has converted to Islam after Tzmt as "Aisha", thank Allah for guiding her and ask Him to be proven true religion and faith to decorate in her heart, says the Prophet, peace be upon him: «While God to guide your one man is better for you than red Graces ».
Second: We say to the Spanish Government that this positive step of the Mujahideen require you to accelerate to meet our legitimate demands, as the sole condition for the safety of your citizens, others, and we call on the Spanish public opinion more pressure on the government and paid to assume full responsibility for the lives of the hostages.
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Stills from the video from the release of the to the Islam converted Alicia Gámez
12 cars - what an armada
Clusters of heavily armed criminals
The third person from the right is Alicia Gámez
One of the mediators
Back to live
Ok, lets count the money
Regards
Ulrich
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15 Mar 2010
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A court in Mauri charged 7 people with the Spanish kidnapping.
Among the seven accused, three are being prosecuted for "participating in a crime concerning an attack on the life and security of people, as well as their kidnapping and illegal detainment".
Two others were charged for "offering shelter to, and preventing the arrest of terrorists" and two others for "providing food" to the kidnappers.
The main accused is 52-year-old Amar Ould Sid'Ahmed, alias Amar As-Sahraouiet, arrested in mid-February by a Mauritanian "commando" in Mali.
He was suspected of having given logistical assistance to the kidnappers but also taking part himself in the kidnapping of the Spaniards and taking them to the AQIM base in northern Mali.
Source, with not much more info than is already quoted above:
Mauritania kidnapping: 7 charged: News24: Africa: News
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15 Mar 2010
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Have a look at the group photo of AQ IM and the 3 Spaniards that Ulrich posted 3 days before this posting. The Spanish guy on the left looks like he is injured - it looks like he is supported by something and has a blanket over him. Recall there was a report that one of these guys got shot in the abduction.
On another note, there is very little news from either the French guy or the Spanish woman who were released. My guess is that the details of what goes on in NE Mali is not being released.
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31 Mar 2010
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In a total about-turn it is reported that the Mauri government have started negotiations to liberate 67 Aqim prisoners, with Burkina Faso officials as mediators.
Lutte anti-Al Qaïda au Sahel : Tout le monde joue-t-il le jeu ? - Temoust.org | Le portail du peuple touareg berbère Kel Tamasheq
"However, the latest news, this weekend, the Mauritanian government, against all odds, has started negotiations with Burkina Faso for the release of 67 members of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb prison in Nouakchot"
psst, a tip - if you use Google Chrome as a browser, you get automatic translation of all web pages (if you so wish)
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31 Mar 2010
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intel must have a rought idea where they are
send in a unit at 4am ,while they sleep and take the f--ker's out.
stop pussy footing about !
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