My Friend Norman has Been Taken Hostage in Iraq!

by Michelle Naar-Obed - Duluth Catholic Worker Wed Dec 07, 2005 19:37 USA

By now the world has learned of the four members of the Christian Peacemaker Teams who are missing in Iraq. I know two of them personally.

Jim Loney, who is from the Toronto Catholic Worker community, and I were in Iraq together twice. The first time, in January 2003, Jim and I were among occupants in an SUV when its tire blew, flipping the vehicle. One of our colleagues, George Weber, was killed. Two of us were sent to the hospital. I regained consciousness while upside down in the vehicle, and Jim's voice was the first that I heard. I remember him asking if everyone was OK.

Tom Fox is a very reflective person. He is a Quaker from Clearbrook, Va., the father of two grown children who is an accomplished musician and a great cook. I met him in August 2004 at Clam Lake, Wis., as he was undergoing training to become a full-time CPT worker. I saw him again in Chicago this summer while I was doing my training. He had already spent much of the year in Iraq and went back in early September.

I don't know Norman Kember, who is 74, a lifelong pacifist and a retired teacher of medical students at St. Bartholemew's Hospital in London, or Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, who is studying for a master's degree in English literature in New Zealand. I don't have to know them personally to know that they are motivated by the same desire as all of us in CPT, which is to be an organized nonviolent alternative to war in places where there is lethal conflict.

Christian Peacemaker Teams began in 1984 as a call for Christians to devote the same discipline and self-sacrifice to nonviolent peacemaking that armies devote to war. The CPT-Iraq team has maintained a consistent presence in Baghdad, living unarmed outside the Green Zone since October 2002. We have been invited into the country by many Iraqi-based organizations. Together, our work has been to reduce violence, ensure human rights for all Iraqis, document and report violations of those rights, and to bring the voice and face of the ordinary Iraqi into the Western eye as we build bridges and call for an end to the occupation of Iraq. We have no political agenda and no economic or religious motivations.

It is perhaps a bitter irony that the demands of those holding our friends is the immediate release of all Iraqi prisoners held in U.S. detention centers throughout Iraq. That has been a large part of CPT's work since the occupation began. Since August 2003, the team has tried to locate detainees lost in the maze of detention centers, often at the request of frenzied family members. The team developed the "Adopt-a-Detainee" program asking folks in the U.S. to pressure their representatives to locate specific lost prisoners, to investigate reasons for their detainment and to begin a speedy release process when warranted.

When I was there in 2004, forces from the military base in Balad, just outside of Baghdad, would make sweeps of "insurgents," picking up every male in the house at raids at 2 or 3 a.m. They would be taken off and family members would have no idea where they were sent. We took human rights lawyers to the base with us and would try to serve as a bridge between the lawyers and the base commanders. We would try to facilitate some system so that people could at least be tracked.

CPT was one of the first groups to compile and report cases of abuse and torture in U.S.-controlled prisons in Iraq. The exposure of that scandal and the massacre in Fallujah resulted in virtually total loss of U.S. credibility around the world and certainly in Iraq.

Given the years of warfare, violence, bloodshed and trauma, it is not a big surprise that desperate acts such as the taking of our friends Norman, Tom, Jim and Harmeet could happen. We do not and will not condone the use of violence in any form, whether it be the violence of aggression or the violence of retaliation. We recognize violence as a vicious cycle that must be stopped by appealing to the innate goodness that exists in the hearts of all human beings, including the members of the Swords of Righteousness Brigade.

There's much work left to do in Iraq, and we long to be a positive force working to counter all the fear, resentment and intimidation felt by the Iraqi people. We appeal for the safe release of our friends. We thank all of the Muslim leaders from every sect in Iraq and from across the Arab region for their strong support and appeals for our friends release. We continue to support all nonviolent forms of resolution to this crisis and we pray for healing, forgiveness, the return of compassion and reconciliation among all peoples.

MICHELE NAAR-OBED of Duluth has served on three delegations of Christian Peacemaker Teams in Iraq since 2002. She is planning to return to Iraq this month.


--
"Love is the measure."

-Dorothy Day

www.catholicworker.org

by john H Tue Dec 06, 2005 04:17

Lets hope its over soon..

amazing

by redjade Tue Dec 06, 2005 03:30

Christian Peacemakers and the Failure of the Left
By Mark A. LeVine

Instead of writing off Iraq as lost to Cheney and Rumsfeld, expending energy in tirades against American empire--when is the last time that an anti-imperialist movement ever succeeded in the West?--or worse, actively supporting violent insurgency at the very moment other peace activists have been held hostage (as have some of the most senior members of the movement), the movement could have marshaled its resources and helped Iraqis build a non-violent movement of resistance against both occupation and the violence and hatred it breeds.

This is why, I believe, CPT went to Iraq, and why it's work as been so important in other countries, from Colombia to the Occupied Territories. As I've seen many times in Palestine, with a few dedicated people CPT has brought powerful results in the communities in which they work. To begin with, they serve as first person "witnesses" to the violence of the occupation and war. This is absolutely crucial, because one of the key dynamics that allow both to continue unhindered is the ability of governments, guerrillas, and occupiers to hide the truth from the world.

Second, they act as a barrier between the occupied and the occupier. The death of International Solidarity Movement activist Rachel Corrie (killed by an Israeli bulldozer in 2003) is perhaps the most dramatic example of the dangers faced by activists; but it is in the less dramatic but equally dangerous daily encounters between civilians and soldiers that I've seen CPT prove its worth. It's hard to count how many times I've seen CPT members get in between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian civilians--often too young, old or infirmed to protect themselves--and stop an act of violence that would have scarred both perpetrator and victim for the rest of their lives. Indeed, it is precisely because CPT acts on the recognition of and desire to preserve the humanity of both the occupier and occupied, that it has been able to work small miracles in the Occupied Territories, and why it has made many friends in Iraq despite its small presence.

rest at
http://hnn.us/blogs/entries/18961.html

more about Mark A. LeVine
http://www.meaning.org/levinebio.html

by Ciaron Mon Dec 05, 2005 14:07 message sent via al jazeera

To the "Swords of Righteousness" group,

My name is Ciaron O'Reilly. I am presently awaiting trial in Ireland for disabling a U.S.Navy war plane at Shannon Airport en route to the invasion of Iraq. The U.S. Navy war plane we disabled was turned around and sent back to the United States. It was unable to contribute to the illegal war effort on Iraq. We have been charged with $US 2.5 million "criminal damage". We face a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment if convicted.

In 1991, I served 13 months in United States prisons for disabling a B-52 Bomber at Griffis Air Force Base. New York, on the eve of the air war against Iraq. As a consequence of our action, the B-52 Bomber was grounded for two months and was unable to participate in the bombing of Iraq.

I believe the ongoing bombing and invasion of Iraq to be a terrible crime. This is a view shared by my good friend Norman Kember who is presently detained by your group. I have known Norman for ten years. He is a good and righteous man. The purpose of Norman Kember, Jim Loney, Tom Fox and Harneet Sing Sooden in Iraq was to learn of the suffering the war is causing there and bring the stories of the victims back to us. This remains important work as we live in the lands from where the invasion is being launched, where the weapons are being manufatured for the war and young people are being lied to and recruited into participating in the invasion.

I pray that your loved ones will be retuned to you. That you will release Norman, Jim, Tom and Harneet without harm. That we can work for peace and justice and an end to the war.

Yours sincerely
Ciaron O'Reilly
Pit Stop Ploughshares
Dublin. Ireland
www.warontrial.com

by CPT Mon Dec 05, 2005 13:46

Betreff: Call for the Release of Peace Activists Held in Iraq

Join Arundhati Roy, Tariq Ali, Noam Chomsky, Cindy Sheehan, Denis Halliday,Rashid Khalidi, and Many Others in Calling for the Urgent
Release of Peace Activists Held in Iraq

An Urgent Appeal

Add your name at: http://www.freethecpt.org



Four members of Christian Peacemaker Teams were taken this past Saturday, November 26, in Baghdad, Iraq. They are not spies, nor do they work in the service of any government. They are people who have dedicated their lives to
fighting against war and have clearly and publicly opposed the invasion and occupation of Iraq. They are people of faith, but they are not missionaries.

They have deep respect for the Islamic faith and for the right of Iraqis to self-determination.

C.P.T. first came to Iraq in October 2002 to oppose the US invasion, and it has remained in the country throughout the occupation in solidarity
with the Iraqi people. The group has been invaluable in alerting the world to many of the horrors facing Iraqis detained in US-run prisons and detention centers.

C.P.T. was among the first to document the torture occurring at the Abu Ghraib prison, long before the story broke in the mainstream press. Its members have spent countless hours interviewing Iraqis about abuse and torture suffered at the hands of US forces and have disseminated this information internationally.

Each of the four C.P.T. members being held in Iraq has dedicated his life to resisting the darkness and misery of war and occupation. Convinced that it is not enough to oppose the war from the safety of their homes, they made the difficult decision to go to Iraq, knowing that the climate of mistrust created by foreign occupation meant that they could be mistaken for
spies or missionaries. They went there with a simple purpose: to bear witness to injustice and to embody a different kind of relationship between
cultures and faiths.

Members of C.P.T. willingly undertook the risks of living among Iraqis, in a common neighborhood outside of the infamous Green Zone. They sought no protection from weapons or armed guards, trusting in, and benefiting from, the goodwill of the Iraqi people. Acts of kindness and hospitality from
Iraqis were innumerable and ensured the C.P.T. members' safety and wellbeing. We believe that spirit will prevail in the current situation.

We appeal to those holding these activists to release them unharmed so that they may continue their vital work as witnesses and peacemakers.

Signed,**
Arundhati Roy, author, The God of Small Things
Tariq Ali, author, Bush in Babylon
Denis Halliday, former U.N. Assistant Secretary General and Head of the U.N. Humanitarian Program in Iraq (1997-1998)
Cindy Sheehan, mother of Casey Sheehan
Noam Chomsky, Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Haifa Zangana, Iraqi novelist
Kamil Mahdi, Iraqi economist and anti-occupation activist. Lecturer, University of Exeter
Mahmood Mamdani, "Herbert Lehman Professor of Government," Columbia University
Rashid Khalidi, "Edward Said Professor of Arab Studies," Middle East Institute, Columbia University
Cindy and Craig Corrie, parents of Rachel Corrie, killed by Israeli military
Hasan Abu Nimah, Permanent Representative of Jordan at the United Nations (1995-2000)
Ralph Nader, former independent presidential candidate
James Abourezk, former US Senator
Howard Zinn, historian
Naseer Aruri, Professor (Emeritus) University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Kathy Kelly, Voices for Creative Nonviolence/Nobel Peace Prize Nominee
Naomi Klein, author/journalist
Michael Ratner, President, Center for Constitutional Rights
Rev. Daniel Berrigan, poet
Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou, National Coordinator, Clergy and Laity Concerned about Iraq
Jeremy Scahill, independent journalist
Mazin Qumsiyeh, author, Sharing the Land Of Canaan, board member US Campaign to End the Occupation
Milan Rai, author, War Plan Iraq: Ten Reasons Against War on Iraq
Sam Husseini, writer
Dahr Jamail, independent journalist
Ali Abunimah, Co-founder, Electronic Iraq
Leslie Cagan, National Coordinator, United for Peace and Justice Eve Ensler, author
Jennifer Harbury, Director, Stop Torture Permanently Campaign
Omar Diop, Président de la Coalition Sénégalaise des Défenseurs des Droits humains
Anthony Arnove, author, Iraq: The Logic of Withdrawal
Medea Benjamin, Global Exchange
G. Simon Harak, War Resisters League
Michael Albert, ZNet
Dave McReynolds, former Chair, War Resisters International
Bishop Gabino Zavala, President, Pax Christi USA

To add your name to this statement and to see the full list of initial

signers: http://www.freethecpt.org

Contact: freethecpt@gmail.com

by Alice Sun Dec 04, 2005 14:57

Hostage Jim Loney, CPT Iraq Team Leader, was for years a member of the Toronto Catholic Worker community. I hope everyone keeps Jim, Tom Fox, Norman Kember & Harneet Sing Sooden in their prayers. I go now to a vigil that CPT is calling.

In the house of the poor, the walls are thin and fragile and troubles seep into one another.

David Shipler in *The Working Poor: Invisible in America*

by Alice Sat Dec 03, 2005 12:00

Tom Fox, one of the four members of CPT abducted last Saturday in Baghdad, has maintained an extraordinary blog. Please remember him I your prayers along with Norman Kember, James Loney, and Harneet Sing Sooden, who were kidnapped with him.

http://waitinginthelight.blogspot.com/ (Tom’s blog)
--

by Jon Sat Dec 03, 2005 04:51

A CPT member recently returned from Iraq told my local newspaper that it is possible the hostages were kidnapped and are held by the Iraqi police. The CPT has been gathering testimony about apparent police abductions, torture and murder of Sunnis. This theory would also be consistent with the the fact that no one has heard of the Swords of Righteousness before, and their video of the hostages is different from those seen in the past. I find this theory a reason for hope, if true.

by update Sat Dec 03, 2005 01:10

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051202/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_hostages

by redjade Fri Dec 02, 2005 00:46

On November 29, nationally syndicated radio host Rush Limbaugh read an Associated Press report about the apparent kidnapping of four Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) activists by an Iraqi insurgent group. Limbaugh announced that "part of me likes this." He explained: "Well, here's why I like it. I like any time a bunch of leftist feel-good hand-wringers are shown reality."

After suggesting that the story "could all be BS ... could all be a stunt," Limbaugh said, "We'll take it face value at first." Addressing the kidnapped CPT activists, Limbaugh said, "[Y]ou've met the bad guys, and you tried your technique on them, and now you're blindfolded in a room with guns pointed at you and knives at your throat. I don't like that." He then added, "But any time a bunch of people that walk around with the head in the sand practicing a bunch of irresponsible, idiotic theory confront reality, I'm kind of happy about it, because I'm eager for people to see reality, change their minds, if necessary, and have things sized up."

http://mediamatters.org/items/200511300010

Rush Limbaugh

by Chris Cole - Fellowship of Reconciliation Thu Dec 01, 2005 22:56

Dear Friends,

I just wanted to update you on some things that are happening in relation to the abduction of the four peaceworkers in Iraq. As you will know, Norman Kember, Tom Fox, Harmeet Singh Sooden and James Loney were in Baghdad as part of a Christian Peacemakers Team delegation.

1) Palestinian Muslims Appeal for Release of Abducted Peaceworkers

2) Prayer Vigils for Abducted Peaceworkers

1) Palestinian Muslims Appeal for Release of Abducted Peaceworkers

Al-Jazeera has just run an impressive appeal by Palestinian Muslims for the release of the four abducted peaceworkers in Iraq.

"We demand that these aid workers be released immediately," said Mufti Ikrema Sabri, the Palestinians' top Muslim clergyman. "We tell them that these aid workers have stood beside Palestinian people, and it's our duty now to stand beside them." Sabri said Islam opposes taking civilians hostage and said such kidnappings are inhumane. Palestinians in several towns said they had worked with the three activists
and asked Sabri to issue the appeal." For more details see

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/F4158730-C9B7-40D5-A097-ECAB2DB7FE25.

Other Muslim groups in Palestine and the Association of Muslim Scholars are also calling for their release .

2) Call for Prayer Vigils for Abducted Peaceworkers

Christians and Muslims, peace organisations, friends and supporters of Norman Kember, the British peace activist abducted in Iraq, will hold a silent, candle-lit prayer vigil this Friday evening (2nd December) on the steps of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, central London. The vigil will take place from 6pm – 7pm. Please do come along if you can. Alternatively you may like to hold a prayer vigil in your local area over the weekend. Prayer vigils are already being planned in Derby and Oxford. Please let us know if you would like us to publicise your prayer vigil.

Please keep up to date by visiting our website www.for.org.uk

With all best wishes
Chris Cole
------------------------------------------------
Chris Cole
Director
Fellowship of Reconciliation
St James Church Centre
Beauchamp Lane
Oxford OX4 3LF
01865 748796 www.for.org.uk
---------------------------------------------------

by Justin Morahan - Peace People Thu Dec 01, 2005 18:56

Honour to Norman and people like him. They are the truly brave who, even knowing of the possible dreaded consequences to themselves, walk voluntarily into the danger zone facing the strong probability of death by killing in order to bring their message of non-violence into the very heart of darkness.

I salute from the outside all those people of faith-based traditions who have shown more courage and commitment than any soldiers. They wear no ribbons or medals, have no purple crosses, there are no remembrance months, weeks or days for them, no poppies, no real recognition even from their own churches.

Their names are not written in public squares, no dedication of remembrance monuments for them.
They don't need these things - their lives are their monuments. Their uniforms, like Gandhi's, semi-nakedness.

No Governments guard them, no Embassy crews go to bat for them. The priorities of Governments and Embassies are political, but the priorities of these heroic souls are ethical, humanitarian, based on faith, love, humanity and justice. When faith inspires fruits like love, humanity, justice, peace, truth, all one can do is admire such fruit and commend such faith.

And find inspiration for more mutual support.

by Ciaron - DCW/PSP Wed Nov 30, 2005 21:41 087 918 4552

My understanding is that Norman & others were abducted in a Sunni area where they were meeting with locals hearing about experiences of the recently exposed state sponsored militia run torture chambers.

The indiscriminate US/UK bombing and indiscriminate US abductions and policy of torture has created an environment where the innocent are terrorised.

If you check the previous link provided you will see the motives and modus operandi of Christian Peace Maker Teams.

It is true, that what I personally think is significant at this stage post-Feb 15th are direct nonviolent interventions against this war whether they be ploughshares actions & nvda in the imperial centre, travelling to the war zone to be in solidarty with the victims or the refusal of members of the military to deploy. I think our resources as an anti-war movement should be primarily directed in support of such efforts.
When our people are abducted, arrested, on trial, court martialled, imprisoned or threatened with death we need as a movement to prioritse solidarity with them. The more solidarity, the more resistance will flower.

Below is aprofile of Norman by his family......

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,1-1897759,00.html

by R. Isible Wed Nov 30, 2005 20:43

You asked for it you got it. May I recommend some reading for you:

Misino, Dominic J., "Crisis Negotiators: No Rules in the Life Saving Game." Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International 8.2 (2002): 40-42

by Dave Wed Nov 30, 2005 20:37

The italian journalist was released after the Istalian government paid a ransom - they wanted to humiliate Berlusconi or kill her so that left wing parties could scream that Berlusconi was a murderer for letting her die.

By making deals with terrorists in the past who took hostages such as Terry Waite merely encouraged terrorists to use the same tactics again and again.

They know left wing parties are prepared their victim sob story and appease them everytime.

Hence the phenomena of Spain pulling its troops after the Madrid bombing and Labour voting against Blair's recent terror bill the same week as Muslims began their intifada in the French suburbs -both of which will encourage more terrorist atrocities against Western Europe - a bomb in Grafton Street or Thrinity College perhaps?

Then you will be screaming America to come to the rescue.

by R. Isible Wed Nov 30, 2005 20:29

Like the Italian journalist released not so long ago? LIke Terry Waite? Like ..... hostage taking is frequently resolved peacefully.

by Dave Wed Nov 30, 2005 20:27

The men guarding them are armed with automatic rifles and rocket propelled grenades. They are going to behead them unless someone does something.
So how can peaceful means be used to free them?

by Tom Wed Nov 30, 2005 17:54

response to hidden comment - 1 of IMC ed

Dave, perhaps you could present the evidence that any of these people wanted to "make friends" with Al-Zarqwawi's head chopping gang. There is none. They went to Iraq to collect information about the conditions for ordinary people there, whose lives have been made hell by fundamentalist bombers and the occupation troops - the latter group have done even more damage than Tawid Al-JIhad.

I assume you were equally vocal a couple of weeks ago when the US army admitted using chemical warfare, telling us how this proved that anyone who believed we could make friends with the Bush administration and rely on them to spread freedom and halt terror has been exposed as a fool?

It's no coincidence that many decent people who were working for the benefit of the Iraqi people have been targeted - Margaret Hassan, Rory Carroll and now this group. It proves that the jihadists don't give a damn about the Iraqi people. And the sack of Falluja proves that the American government doesn't give a damn about them either.

Your self-satisfied comments do you no credit,

by Coilín Wed Nov 30, 2005 16:55

It's neither the fault of Iraqi terrorists nor of British or American troops, but ALL MY FAULT.

Maybe if I had intervened to stop American supply planes passing through Shannon Airport in February 2003, I could have stopped the invasion and then none of this would have happened. I could have saved the lives of 2,000 American troops and of all the beheaded kidnap victims.

Forgive my cowardice. I'll know better next time.

Coilín.

by Open Wed Nov 30, 2005 15:57

Norman wouldn't have been in Iraq if the americans hadn't invaded and there would be no iraqi terrorists either so the americans and british r responsible.

by Dave Wed Nov 30, 2005 15:38

"Norman and friends are visible. We call for their immediate release. As Norman has done before, we call for the release of all hostages of this war from the gulags and cells of Iraq to Guantenamo."

But Norman and friends are not being held captive by the US but by insurgents - no doubt Al-Zaraqawi has a hand in this but I hope he doesn't.
Last time when Ken Bigley and Margaret Hassan were held by these thugs despite the pleas of the international community - they were murdered - Ken was beheaded slowly on video with a knife - Margaret was shot through the head and both murders were posted on the internet and broadcast on Al-Jazerra.

The only hope Norman and friends have is that the Delta Force or SAS go in hard and take out their captors

by me_PT Wed Nov 30, 2005 15:36

I am sure that Mr. Kember is a wonderful well meaning man. However, the organisation he volunteers for need their heads examined. In their website from the link provided:

"We are angry because what has happened to our teammates is the result of the actions of the U.S. and U.K. governments due to the illegal attack on Iraq and the continuing occupation ..."

Duh. I thought it was Iraqi terrorists who kidnapped these people. You cannot blame the US or the UK for these actions. Otherwise, if you're not going to lay the blame where it rightly lays (with the Iraqi terrorists) someone might follow your lead and blame the victims, the "peace activists" themselves for getting kidnapped by putting themselves in danger's way in the first place.

Why would they think they'd be any better treated than any other foreigners in Iraq who've had their heads chopped off?

by Chris Cole Wed Nov 30, 2005 13:02 Oxford

The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FoR) is saddened and shocked to hear of the abduction of one of its Trustees, Norman Kember, in Iraq



Norman was in Iraq as part of a small peace delegation to meet with those who are suffering under the terrible conditions that currently exist there. The delegation was hoping to meet with community leaders and civil society groups, to visit hospitals, schools and mosques and to talk to ordinary Iraqis. The delegation would then be able to give a first hand report on the conditions that they met in Iraq when they returned.



Norman is a thoughtful and caring man, a long-time Christian pacifist who has consistently been opposed to war and violence and has spent a great deal of his time speaking about and promoting nonviolence. Norman was well aware of the risks in taking such a peace initiative but has always been committed to the idea that peacemaking is a risky business and that if we want to build real peace and security in our world ordinary people have to do all they can to build bridges and to try to help opponents - enemies – have a better understanding of each other.



Chris Cole, Director of FoR said “The Fellowship of Reconciliation is praying for the safe return of Norman and his fellow abducted so that he may continue his life’s commitment to the work of peace and reconciliation.”