Despite the what the Christian Peacemaker Team said at the time of their kidnapping, they are happy that men of violence took the risk and were prepared to kill to rescue their captured comrades
U.S.-led forces freed three Christian peace activists, including Briton Norman Kember, held hostage in Iraq on Thursday in an operation mounted two weeks after the kidnappers tortured and killed their American colleague.
Back when the Peace workers were first captured, CPT said
CPT does not advocate the use of violent force to save lives of its workers should they be kidnapped, held hostage, or caught in the middle of a conflict situation.
They also blamed the US and Britain for the hostage taking.
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 and oppression of its people.
But now, it's all sweetness and light
Our hearts are filled with joy today as we heard that Harmeet Singh Sooden, Jim Loney and Norman Kember have been safely released in Baghdad. Christian Peacemaker Teams rejoices with their families and friends at the expectation of their return to their loved ones and community. Together we have endured uncertainty, hope, fear, grief and now joy during the four months since they were abducted in Baghdad.
Get that? "Release", not "rescue". But do they credit the "release" of their brethren to the Military? No
They knew that their only protection was in the power of the love of God and of their Iraqi and international co-workers.
Do they blame the abductors for the abduction? No
We believe that the illegal occupation of Iraq by Multinational Forces is the root cause of the insecurity which led to this kidnapping and so much pain and suffering in Iraq. The occupation must end.
I'm going to be very interested in the what the abducted themselves have to say.
Who they blame, and who they are thankful to....
