Page 3 - Aruba Today
P. 3
U.S. NEWS A3
Monday 18 January 2016
At Press Time:
US Embassy says “several”
Americans missing in Iraq
SUSANNAH GEORGE Americans went missing Pentagon press secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon.
BAGHDAD (AP) — The U.S. in south Baghdad on their The U.S. Embassy confirmed Sunday that “several” Americans have gone missing in Iraq. Kirby
Embassy confirmed Sun- way to Baghdad Interna- said that “the safety and security of Americans abroad is our highest priority.”
day that “several” Ameri- tional Airport. A Western
cans have gone missing security official, speaking (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
in Iraq, after local media on condition of anonymity
reported that three Ameri- because he was not au-
cans had been kidnapped thorized to brief the media,
in the Iraqi capital. said Sunday that he had
U.S. Embassy spokesman been told that three Ameri-
Scott Bolz said, “We are cans went missing 24 to 48
working in full coopera- hours ago.
tion with Iraqi authorities to There were no immedi-
locate the missing Ameri- ate claims of responsibility.
cans.” Kidnappings in Iraq have
Bolz did not identify the been carried out by the Is-
missing Americans or say lamic State group and Shi-
what they were doing in ite militias as well as criminal
Iraq. gangs demanding ransom
State Department spokes- payments or disgruntled
man John Kirby said that employees seeking to re-
“due to privacy consider- solve workplace disputes.
ations” he had nothing fur- The incident comes after a
ther to add about the miss- week that has seen a dete-
ing Americans. “The safety rioration of security in and
and security of Americans around the Iraqi capital af-
abroad is our highest prior- ter months of relative calm.
ity,” Kirby said. The Islamic State group
The comments by U.S. of- claimed a number of at-
ficials came after the Arab tacks in Baghdad and
news channel, al-Arabiya, neighboring Diyala prov-
citing its own sources, re- ince last week that killed
ported that three Ameri- more than 50 people, in-
cans had been kidnapped cluding a high profile at-
by militias in Baghdad. tack on a mall in the Iraqi
Iraqi media reports said the capital. q
King Center to celebrate 30th
anniversary of MLK holiday
KATE BRUMBACK government, the freedom
Associated Press to prosper in life and the
ATLANTA (AP) — The King freedom to peacefully co-
Center in Atlanta is set to exist,” said King’s daughter,
celebrate the 30th anni- the Rev. Bernice King.
versary of the Martin Lu- The theme of freedom is
ther King Jr. federal holiday especially meaningful this
Monday at Ebenezer Bap- year, she said, because it is
tist Church. The commem- the 50th anniversary of her
orative service caps more father going to Chicago
than a week of events to highlight the need for
meant to celebrate the open and fair housing. King
slain civil rights icon’s lega- and the Southern Christian
cy. The overarching theme Leadership Conference in
of this year’s celebration is January 1966 announced
“Remember! Celebrate! plans for the Chicago Free-
Act! King’s Legacy of Free- dom Movement. In a nod
dom for Our World.” to that legacy, Secretary
“What most people around of Housing and Urban De-
the world want, whatever velopment Julian Castro is
nation they live in, is the set to speak at Monday’s
freedom to participate in service. q
