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| India-Pakistan |
| Gunmen kidnap American UN official in Pakistan |
| 2009-02-02 |
| QUETTA, Pakistan – Gunmen kidnapped an American U.N. worker and killed his driver in southwestern Pakistan on Monday, underscoring the security threat in a country wracked by al-Qaida violence and rising criminality. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry called the abduction a "dastardly terrorist act," but it was not clear who seized John Solecki, the head of the U.N. refugee office in the city of Quetta, as he traveled to work. Senior police official Khalid Masood said Solecki was an American who had worked in Quetta for more than two years. The U.N. confirmed Solecki had been kidnapped, but would not specify where he was from. In a statement, the U.N. information office in Pakistan conveyed "extreme shock and dismay" at the kidnapping and the killing of the driver, Syed Hashim. At the scene of the kidnapping in the Chaman Housing Society neighborhood, a UNHCR Land Cruiser was rammed against a wall. At least one bullet hole was visible on the vehicle. Solecki did not have a police escort while he was traveling, Masood said. "We have learned that he usually did not like to have an escort with him on his way to the office," Masood said. Nasir said Solecki's office and home had security, including police. "We had given adequate security to him," Nasir said. "We also had a meeting with him, and we had fulfilled all requirements he had discussed with us." |
| Posted by:Glenmore |
| #7 I agree scooter, i'm sure some pansy hasn't bitched about the coment yet must be past their bedtime too troll |
| Posted by: rabid whitetail 2009-02-02 22:52 |
| #6 ...and rising criminality. How can you tell? |
| Posted by: Raj 2009-02-02 21:29 |
| #5 Guy was prolly shocked. "How come your kidnapping me? I hate George Bush as much as you do!" |
| Posted by: SteveS 2009-02-02 20:48 |
| #4 Idiot works for our enemies in the UN. A traitor who deserves whatever happens to him, IMHO. |
| Posted by: Scooter McGruder 2009-02-02 16:36 |
| #3 Sorry to say it, but his family better start getting ready for the inevitable beheading video. |
| Posted by: Mitch H. 2009-02-02 12:41 |
| #2 this is why i said i would quit before i would be sent over there |
| Posted by: rabid whitetail 2009-02-02 12:19 |
| #1 Lets see if I have this right. We have an American who works for the UN in Quetta, Pakistan and he has no police escort? Because he didn't like it? What is this guy smoking? Just being an American in Pakistan much less Quetta puts you in serious harm's way. |
| Posted by: Jack is Back! 2009-02-02 10:31 |