Business

AP / MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH, · Guest

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas has told the British Broadcasting Corp. he has "credible
evidence" a BBC journalist kidnapped a month ago in the Gaza Strip
was "safe and well," the BBC's top executive said Thursday.
Alan Johnston, a native of Scotland, was abducted at
gunpoint in Gaza City on March 12. There has been no sign of life
from him since, and no word from his captors. No other foreigner has
been held in Gaza as long.
BBC director general Mark Thompson appealed for Johnston's
release at a news conference in the West Bank town of Ramallah. At a
meeting with Abbas on Wednesday, "he told me that he had credible
evidence that Alan was safe and well," Thompson said.
Thompson said there have been no contacts with Johnston's
captors, and no demands from them.
"It is vital for all journalists to be able to report freely
and without fear of harassment and intimidation," he told the news
conference.
"I appeal to all those who may have influence with the
kidnappers to use their best endeavors to secure Alan's release,
safely and speedily, and to ensure his return to his family and
friends as quickly as possible," he said.
Thompson said he did not know why the case was taking so
long to be resolved. More than a dozen foreign journalists and aid
workers have been abducted by Gaza gunmen in the past 18 months,
often in a bid to wrest money or jobs. Most have been released
unharmed within hours or days.
The one exception was the abduction of two Fox News
employees in August, which lasted two weeks before they were freed
unharmed.
Thompson's appeal for Johnston's release was part of a
daylong calendar of international events aimed at drawing attention
to the abducted journalist's plight. A rally was held in Gaza
simultaneously with the news conference in Ramallah.