Christian Peacemaker Team Members Continue Their Work In Iraq Despite Their Colleagues' Kidnappings

Interview with Greg Rollins, member of the Christian Peacemaker Team, living in Iraq, conducted by Melinda Tuhus

On Nov. 26, four long-term volunteers with the Christian Peacemaker Team in Iraq were kidnapped by a group calling itself "The Swords of Righteousness Brigade." The kidnappers threatened to kill the four men -- two Canadians, an American and a Briton -- if the U.S. and Britain did not release all Iraqi prisoners they hold. Deadlines have come and gone but the kidnappers, as of the date of this report, have not yet carried out their threat. Since 1984 CPT has sent teams to conflict zones around the world employing direct action to reduce violence and protect human rights..

Members of the CPT responded to President George Bush's call to "stay the course" in Iraq by calling on the U.S. to pull its military out of the occupied nation. They also remind the world that kidnapping has affected far more Iraqis than it has foreigners, and they say this lack of security is directly related to the ongoing military occupation of Iraq.

Between The lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Greg Rollins, a Canadian who has lived in Iraq almost three years. Speaking from Baghdad, he describes the day-to-day work of the Christian Peacemaker Teams, how the group has responded to the kidnappings of their colleagues and the impact the foreign military occupation has had on ordinary Iraqis.

Contact the Christian Peacemaker Team in Iraq by calling (773) 277-0253 or visit their website at www.cpt.org.

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