As I mentioned in my entry on the French hostage release "French Hostages Released, I Wait For Reports Of A Payoff" my second portion of the title is probably true.

From the Telegraph

The "higher command" of the Islamic Army of Iraq, have reportedly demanded that there be a truce agreed with Osama bin Laden, that a pledge is taken not to get involved either militarily or commercially in Iraq, and that a $5 million ransom be paid within the next 48 hours.

So much for the taking of the hostages strictly because of the headscarf ban.

Also the French hostage have still not been actually released. They are in the hands of another group that claims to not be hostile towards the French, yet has had them since September 2nd. Why? I don't know.

I would still not be surprised if France actually paid that $5 million portion of the demand while negotiating the other two demands away since 1) they aren't in Iraq and 2) They have nothing against Osama himself because he has not attacked them personally.

Who cares if Osama is attacking your so called allies, as long as he hasn't attacked your country directly then why worry about him?

Another article at The Australian

Hat tip: Right Thinking From The Left Coast and The Command Post.

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