2010 OCT 12: YVONNE RIDLEY HITS OUT AT US MILITARY OVER AID-WORKER KILLING
Tuesday 12th October 2010
Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign: Media Release
FORMER TALIBAN PRISONER HITS OUT AGAINST US MILITARY OVER NORGROVE KILLING.
A former prisoner of the Taliban has hit out against the failed rescue attempt of aid-worker, Linda Norgrove, after news emerged that earlier accounts of her death were inaccurate.
Speaking at Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) fundraising events in Glasgow and Dundee, Yvonne Ridley told audiences that "it's now clear it wasn't a suicide jacket as originally said. I'm very sorry for the family.
"It's easy for me to sit here in Dundee and cast a critical eye, and I'm not privy to the exact workings of what went on, but my understanding from local Afghans is that a few more days of negotiations could have resulted in a happier or more peaceful outcome".
Ridley was held by the Taliban while working for the Sunday Express in late September 2001 after illegally entering the country in the run up to the US-led invasion, but was released 10 days later by order of Taliban leader, Mullah Omar. Speaking of her own captivity, the journalist explained, "While we all wanted freedom, we dreaded the thought of the Americans mounting any sort of a rescue mission because their reputation is disastrous in these sort of rescue operations”.
Ridley will speak at Edinburgh’s Bongo Club tonight in the final SPSC fundraising dinner, where she will be joined by Dundee’s Ali Al-Awasi, a survivor of Israel’s recent massacre of 9 aid-workers on the Gaza Aid Flotilla.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
1. The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign started in autumn 2000 in response to the Palestinian second uprising against Israeli occupation (Intifada). The SPSC has branches and groups of supporters in several Scottish cities and universities, as well as individual members across Scotland and elsewhere.
For further information, contact:
SPSC Chair, Mick Napier: 0131 620 0052; 07958002591
SPSC Chair, Mick Napier: 0131 620 0052; 07958002591
2. To request an interview with Yvonne Ridley, contact :
SPSC Chair, Mick Napier: 0131 620 0052; 07958002591
3. Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign: Palestine Freedom Fundraising Dinner 2010
EDINBURGH Tuesday 12th October, 7-10pm
Bongo Club, 37 Holyrood Road, EH8 8BA
Bongo Club, 37 Holyrood Road, EH8 8BA
Edinburgh event organised with Radio Ramadan Edinburgh and Muslim Women's Association of Edinburgh