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| By: Associated Press |
| Published: August 24, 2006 |
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The Rev. Jesse Jackson said Wednesday he will lead an ecumenical delegation to the Middle East this week to meet with political and religious leaders about the kidnapping of two Fox News journalists and other recent developments in the region.
Jackson, the veteran civil rights leader and head of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, said his mission would have three goals: urging the extension of the cease-fire in Lebanon, arranging humanitarian aid in Lebanon and in the Israeli city of Haifa, and inquiring into several hostage situations.
He said his delegation would consist of about ten people, representing Jewish, Muslim, Roman Catholic and Protestant groups, and would leave Chicago Friday night en route to meetings in Syria, Lebanon and Israel.
"We had been working with the Middle Eastern Council of Churches, but couldn't get in earlier because of the bombings," Jackson said.
He said his group is concerned about the fate of Israeli soldiers held hostage by Hezbollah, as well as by the kidnapping of Fox News correspondent Steve Centanni and cameraman Olaf Wiig, who were kidnapped Aug. 14 from their TV van near the Palestinian security services headquarters in Gaza City.
Jackson has had success several times in the past in negotiating the release of political hostages, but acknowledged the case of Centanni and Wiig is particularly difficult because so little is known about the militant group holding them.
Nonetheless, Jackson said he had hopes that regional leaders could help his group in its quest.
"I believe all nations must see the value of releasing prisoners as a means of releasing tensions in the area," Jackson said.
Jackson declined to release his planned itinerary because of security concerns. |
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