The Digger
Freed Archaeologist denies return to Iraq.
Susanne Osthoff,
the 43-year-old archaeologist and aid worker who was abducted and then freed
in Iraq recently, has denied she said she wanted to return to the war zone.
Her reported comments had angered the German government who many believe paid
a hefty ransom to her captors.
Ms Osthoff was kidnapped on 25 November in Baghdad. She was intending to travel
north, but instead her driver took her to a house in the capital where three
men bundled her into the boot of a car. She was driven to a place near the
border where she was held for three weeks.
The German government has denied that its release of a Hizbollah member jailed
for the murder of a U.S. Navy diver was linked to Ms Osthoff's freedom days
later. A ransom is widely believed to have been paid.
German Muslim leaders, former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Iraqi cleric
Moqtada al-Sadr were among those who called for the archaeologist's release.
A petition organised by BAJR was signed by over 1000 people.
Speaking publicly for the first time, Ms Osthoff told the Arabic-language
Al-Jazeera satellite channel that her captors had treated her well. They weren't
trying to get money, she said, but were demanding that schools and hospitals
be built in Sunni Arab areas.
She was also reported to have said that she may return to Iraq, which drew
fierce criticism in Germany. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said,
'I would have little sympathy if Frau Osthoff puts herself again in danger
considering the intensive efforts made by many people to secure her release.'
Ruprecht Polenz, the chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee
added, 'In the event of a second kidnapping one would have to discuss who
should foot the bill.'
Ms Osthoff is believed currently to be in Jordan with her 12 year old daughter.
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