The insurgents holding eight Chinese hostages have released a video which presents new threats to the safety of the men and threatens to kill them.
The group in the tape calls themselves 'The Islamic Resistance Movement' and instructed the Chinese government to issue a statement that Chinese citizens could not work for the Americans in Iraq and that this will make them more merciful towards the hostages.
The Chinese embassy indicated that the eight hostages were Chinese nationals but also said they had never actually worked in Iraq. It is likely that they went to Iraq looking for work but were unable to find any. The hostage takers admitted that the eight men were captured as they were getting ready to leave the country.
The man in the video delivered a message to the Chinese government saying, 'We would like to inform you that the Chinese ambassador has defended his position in Iraq and said that he is not working with the Americans. Iraq is a battlefield and no mercy will be given to those who work with our enemies ... the occupiers. We ask that your government to issue a statement forbidding the Chinese citizens from entering Iraq and this will be considered as a positive gesture and will make us look mercifully on these hostages,' the speaker added.
The hostages, many of whom are just teenagers, were apparently questioned by the terrorists who are holding them. 'After interrogating them, we learned that they are Chinese working for a Chinese contracting company in Iraq. This company is carrying out the task of rebuilding one of the American bases, the man on the videotape said.'
There are not any existing contracts between Chinese companies and the American government. It is not clear if there are agreements between Chinese-owned companies and private American contractors working in Iraq.
The eight hostages were shown with hooded terrorist guards on either side of them on the video. Chinese authorities continue to attempt to obtain their release while their families try to keep up hope that they will see their loved ones again.
