Three Romanian journalists were kidnapped on Monday, March 28th, in Iraq: Mari Jeanne Ion, Sorin Miscoci and Ovidiu Ohannesian. A businessman of Arabic origin was also captured. Though not 100% certain, most rumors indicate the Ansar-al-Sunnah group, well-known by a long series of executing and beheading hostages.
The incident has quite a political significance attached to it, as it followed the Romanian president’s visit in the region. Romania is among the few countries to further provide military support to the American invasion in Iraq in the name of “democracy and freedom”. As seen with many European countries as well, the large majority of Romanians does not favor the aggression on Iraq, nor Romanian troops being present there.
Kidnapping is an equally irresponsible aggression on innocent people and is not going to provide any solution to the existing situation as hostages are not political targets.
I consider this a message of support for those kidnapped and an urge to consideration and balance on the side of those able to handle this situation.