If they aren’t satisfied with the coverage they’re getting, we could send them one of our pro-jihad journalists — Christiane Amanpour, Niraj Warikoo, Bob Smietana, any number of people. There are so many, we certainly could spare a few. “2 Spanish journalists kidnapped in Syria, newspaper says,” by Al Goodman for CNN, December 10:
Madrid (CNN) — Two Spanish journalists experienced in covering wars have been kidnapped in Syria by a group linked to al Qaeda, the newspaper El Mundo said Tuesday.
The two journalists — El Mundo staff correspondent Javier Espinosa and freelance photographer Ricardo Garcia Vilanova — were kidnapped September 16, foreign editor Ana Alonso told CNN. Garcia was traveling with Espinosa but not on assignment for El Mundo.
The newspaper initially withheld the news at the request of the two men’s families in the hope of ensuring their safety, Alonso said. El Mundo reported there were indirect contacts with the captors during this time.
Espinosa, 49, and Garcia, 42, have made numerous trips to war-torn Syria, often together, and they organized their most recent visit together, Alonso said.
Spain is involved in trying to secure the release of the two kidnapped journalists, but “with absolute discretion,” Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said Tuesday.
The government is in “constant contact with the families” Garcia-Margallo told reporters at an event in Madrid, the Foreign Ministry said.
Espinosa’s wife, also a journalist, pleaded for the return of her husband and his colleague.
“Javier and Ricardo are not your enemy. Please, honor the revolution they protected, and set them free,” Monica Prieto said during an emotional press conference in Beirut on Tuesday.
“Today we appeal to the Syrian people and all armed groups to help release Javier and Ricardo, who have always been committed to show the human face and suffering of the Syrian people during these very difficult times.“…