FOX News cameraman kept death threats a secret from kidnapped colleague
When FOX News reporter Steve Centanni, who is American, was kidnapped, his New Zealand-born colleague Olaf Wiig was snatched as well. Wigg said in an interview that he can't condemn his captors. This even after they told Wiig of their intention to kill Centanni for being an American.
From ABC News:
Despite being taken hostage at gunpoint in Gaza by a jihadist group and held captive for 13 days, Fox News cameraman Olaf Wiig says he can't condemn his captors.
"It's really complex," Wiig said on "Good Morning America."
"In some ways, I feel such sympathy for the Palestinian cause. You know, in my heart. You know, I can't hate them for what they did. I resent on behalf of my family what they did. But there's a funny bit of me that's sympathetic to them still."
Well, they were nicer to Wigg than to Centanni:
Despite being taken hostage at gunpoint in Gaza by a jihadist group and held captive for 13 days, Fox News cameraman Olaf Wiig says he can't condemn his captors.
"It's really complex," Wiig said on "Good Morning America."
"In some ways, I feel such sympathy for the Palestinian cause. You know, in my heart. You know, I can't hate them for what they did. I resent on behalf of my family what they did. But there's a funny bit of me that's sympathetic to them still."
Wiig said he kept that information from Centanni.
"I just knew that he was under [a] huge strain already, and I thought it was a burden he didn't need to carry for however long," Wiig said.
Right. Good idea. And who knows? If Centanni had known what they had in store for him, he might have made an informed decision on whether to attempt an escape, or compose himself for an execution, or perhaps start seeing Palestinian terrorists as anything but people deserving our sympathy. Centanni might have decided to hate them after all, and Wiig doesn't think that would have been fair.
Why would they have told Wiig of their intentions? I figure the kidnappers recognized someone who would keep quiet, and not mess up their plans.
I bet every kidnapper wishes he had snatched someone as helpful as Wiig. Makes the job so much easier. I can't help but think that Wiig was pleased to be sharing secrets with his Palestinian buddies.
I wonder if Centanni might be asking for a new cameraman? Wouldn't surprise me if he didn't though. Reporters seem to be an odd bunch.
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Comments
I am certain that keeping mum was the correct thing to do.
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Posted by: TonyGuitar at August 31, 2006 11:29 AM
The Kiwi is a coward and a collaborator. Hope the folks at home are proud.
Posted by: angryinthecornbelt at August 31, 2006 12:39 PM
Steve: Regarding Mr. Wiig keeping "secrets" from Mr. Centanni in order to spare him the burden of contemplating his own imminent murder, the ABC article went on to report this:
Centanni said he was grateful for that. "He's a beautiful man and a good friend," he said of Wiig. He was sitting beside Mr. Wiig on Good Morning America when this exchange occurred. I guess he doesn't have any hard feelings for not being let in the loop.
If Centanni had known what they had in store for him, he might have made an informed decision on whether to attempt an escape, or compose himself for an execution, or perhaps start seeing Palestinian terrorists as anything but people deserving our sympathy...Why would they have told Wiig of their intentions? I figure the kidnappers recognized someone who would keep quiet, and not mess up their plans.
I think if you're kidnapped at gunpoint by terrorists, the most reasonable assumption to go on is that they're going to kill you. I suspect the thought passed through Mr. Wiig's mind as he was being taken from safehouse to safehouse. Sure, his captors eventually "told Wiig that he would be released because he was from New Zealand," but really, who's gonna take that at face value? I doubt he sat around casually, passing the time playing Sudoku or something, while waiting to be released. As for Mr. Centanni, are you saying that because he wasn't explicitly told he was going to die, that he wasn't already looking for a way to escape?
Posted by: A at August 31, 2006 06:49 PM
 
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