2006年VOA标准英语-Gaza Militant Group Claims It Holds 2 Journalis

By Jim Teeple
Jerusalem
23 August 2006
 
A previously¹ unknown Palestinian militant² group claimed Wednesday to be holding two journalists working for the FOX television network, which is headquartered in the United States. The two men who were abducted³ nine days ago, say they are in good health, and they appealed for assistance to gain their freedom.

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kidnappers4 Wednesday Aug. 23, 2006, shows American journalist Steve Centanni, right, and New Zealand cameraman Olaf Wiig as they make a statement while in captivity5" src="/upimg/allimg/070417/1136020.jpg" width="210" border="0" /> Image taken from video released by kidnappers Wednesday Aug. 23, 2006, shows American journalist Steve Centanni, right, and New Zealand cameraman Olaf Wiig as they make a statement while in captivity

FOX television correspondent Steve Centanni, and cameraman Olaf Wiig were seized by a group of armed men who intercepted⁶ their vehicle on August 14 while they were on assignment in the Gaza Strip.

Until now nothing has been heard from the two men, but on Wednesday, a previously unknown Palestinian militant group called the Holy Jihad Brigades released a videotape of the two, and issued a 72-hour deadline for the United States to release Muslim prisoners it holds. The group says the two journalists will face unspecified consequences if the demand is not met.

Speaking to a video camera and framed against a black backdrop the 60-year-old Centanni, a veteran U.S. journalist, said he was in good health and being treated well.

"We are in fairly good condition," he said. "We are alive and well and in fairly good health. We get lots of clean water and food everyday as well as access to the bathroom, showers, clean clothes and our captors are treating us well."

Both men appealed for help to be released. New Zealand-born Olaf Wiig, 36, asked for more attention to be paid to their case.

"If you could apply any political pressure on the local government here in Gaza and in the West Bank that would be most appreciated by both Steve and myself," he said.

The abduction has been condemned⁷ by both the Fatah political movement of President Mahmoud Abbas, and the Hamas Islamic militant group which governs the Palestinian territories. Palestinian security services have been carrying out an intensive search for the two men since they were seized.

Since the abduction, British and American journalists have been warned not to go to Gaza because of credible⁸ threats of additional kidnappings.

The kidnapping of journalists and other foreigners has occurred before in Gaza. Since August of last year when Israel disengaged from the area, there have been at least seven abductions. However, nearly all of those seized were released within hours or a few days, making the abduction of Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig, the longest such kidnapping to date.

1 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

2 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

3 abducted   

劫持，诱拐( abduct的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（肢体等）外展

参考例句：

• Detectives have not ruled out the possibility that she was abducted. 侦探尚未排除她被绑架的可能性。
• The kid was abducted at the gate of kindergarten. 那小孩在幼儿园大门口被绑架走了。

4 kidnappers   

n.拐子，绑匪( kidnapper的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They were freed yesterday by their kidnappers unharmed. 他们昨天被绑架者释放了，没有受到伤害。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The kidnappers had threatened to behead all four unless their jailed comrades were released. 帮匪们曾经威胁说如果印度方面不释放他们的同伙，他们就要将这四名人质全部斩首。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 captivity   

n.囚禁；被俘；束缚

参考例句：

• A zoo is a place where live animals are kept in captivity for the public to see.动物园是圈养动物以供公众观看的场所。
• He was held in captivity for three years.他被囚禁叁年。

6 intercepted   

拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻

参考例句：

• Reporters intercepted him as he tried to leave the hotel. 他正要离开旅馆，记者们把他拦截住了。
• Reporters intercepted him as he tried to leave by the rear entrance. 他想从后门溜走，记者把他截住了。

7 condemned   

adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He condemned the hypocrisy of those politicians who do one thing and say another. 他谴责了那些说一套做一套的政客的虚伪。
• The policy has been condemned as a regressive step. 这项政策被认为是一种倒退而受到谴责。

8 credible   

adj.可信任的，可靠的

参考例句：

• The news report is hardly credible.这则新闻报道令人难以置信。
• Is there a credible alternative to the nuclear deterrent?是否有可以取代核威慑力量的可靠办法？