A video tape of Italian hostage Giuliana Sgrena, who was taken hostage Feb 4, 2005, was released this morning by the terrorists who are holding her hostage. In the video she is pleading in French and Italian for all US led troops to be removed from Iraq.

It is still unclear as to which terrorist group has her. Viewing the Giuliana Sgrena archives shows that there have now been 3 groups claiming to have her. The Jihad Organization, The Islamic Jihad Organization and now Mujahedeen Without Borders. It is always possible that she has been given or sold from one organization to the next. Most of these organizations don't seem to want to take credit for taking Mrs. Sgrena hostage and that may be because she was an outspoken anti-war advocate against the Iraq war.

Yahoo/AP

"You must end the occupation, it's the only way we can get out of this situation," the 56-year-old journalist for the communist daily Il Manifesto pleaded. There was no indication when the tape was made, and the words "Mujahedeen Without Borders" appeared in digital red Arabic script on the video. The group was previously unknown.

The video was released hours before Italy's Senate voted on whether to extend the nation's troop deployment in Iraq through June. Il Manifesto strongly opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and has fiercely criticized Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi's decision to deploy 3,000 troops in the U.S.-led multinational force in Iraq.

At one point she broke into tears as she addressed Pierre Scolari, whom she called her husband.

"Show all the pictures I have taken of the Iraqis, of the children hit by the cluster bombs, of the women ... Help me, help me to demand the withdrawal of the troops, help me spare my life."

For all entries at Diggers Realm and more information visit the Giuliana Sgrena Archives.

Tipped by: The Jawa Report

Other Commentary:

Say Anything
The Command Post