Harmeet Sooden returns quietly to New Zealand
-30/03/06
While considerable publicity h
Harmeet Sooden returns quietly to New Zealand
-30/03/06
While considerable publicity has followed Christian peacemakers Norman Kember and Jim Loney since the end last week of their four month hostage ordeal in Iraq, the third man released, Harmeet Singh Sooden arrived quietly at Auckland International Airport.
He was taken away to be with family without greeting supporters or talking to the media, needing time to recuperate.
Immediate support was pledged by Prime Minister Helen Clark. “This is a deeply traumatising experience and I would think the thing he most wants to do now is go and have a sleep and settle into life in New Zealand again,” she declared at her post-cabinet press conference in Wellington.
Ms Clark said the government had supported Mr Sooden’s family throughout his ordeal, and “I’m sure we’d wish those services to be available to Harmeet Sooden too”.
Sooden is of Indian origins. His sister Preety Brewer said she was delighted to see her brother arrive home at last.
“I’m very thrilled to see him again after the most difficult and longest four months of my life,” Mrs Brewer told One News.
She went on: “He is looking forward to seeing his niece again and catching up on some much-needed sleep.”
Meanwhile a row has broken out among broadcasters about Mr Soodenís familyís apparent deal with media outlet TVNZ, with speculation once again outstripping known facts.
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement two days ago saying: “Harmeet has asked us to confirm that he has arrived safely back in New Zealand. He would like to express his gratitude for the support and concern the group received from New Zealanders and Canadians throughout the ordeal.î
The statement continued: ìHe is grateful for the efforts of all those involved in securing the release of himself and his fellow captives. He now asks to be allowed time and space to be reunited in private with his family and friends. Harmeet says he will be available to speak to the media about his experiences on Friday afternoon.”
This would seem to contradict allegations that only TVNZ will get the story.
Jim Loney, also of Christian Peacemaker Teams, arrived back in his home town yesterday, to great celebrations.
There has been concern that he might face bigotry as a result of news reports that he is a gay – a fact necessarily concealed from the media while he was in captivity, as it would have further imperilled his life.
“This is not a time for prejudice, it is a time for celebration that Jim is free, and that his witness to nonviolence and to the peace of Christ has remained strong throughout this terrible ordeal,” a supporter commented.
Harmeet Sooden returns quietly to New Zealand
-30/03/06
While considerable publicity has followed Christian peacemakers Norman Kember and Jim Loney since the end last week of their four month hostage ordeal in Iraq, the third man released, Harmeet Singh Sooden arrived quietly at Auckland International Airport.
He was taken away to be with family without greeting supporters or talking to the media, needing time to recuperate.
Immediate support was pledged by Prime Minister Helen Clark. “This is a deeply traumatising experience and I would think the thing he most wants to do now is go and have a sleep and settle into life in New Zealand again,” she declared at her post-cabinet press conference in Wellington.
Ms Clark said the government had supported Mr Sooden’s family throughout his ordeal, and “I’m sure we’d wish those services to be available to Harmeet Sooden too”.
Sooden is of Indian origins. His sister Preety Brewer said she was delighted to see her brother arrive home at last.
“I’m very thrilled to see him again after the most difficult and longest four months of my life,” Mrs Brewer told One News.
She went on: “He is looking forward to seeing his niece again and catching up on some much-needed sleep.”
Meanwhile a row has broken out among broadcasters about Mr Soodenís familyís apparent deal with media outlet TVNZ, with speculation once again outstripping known facts.
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement two days ago saying: “Harmeet has asked us to confirm that he has arrived safely back in New Zealand. He would like to express his gratitude for the support and concern the group received from New Zealanders and Canadians throughout the ordeal.î
The statement continued: ìHe is grateful for the efforts of all those involved in securing the release of himself and his fellow captives. He now asks to be allowed time and space to be reunited in private with his family and friends. Harmeet says he will be available to speak to the media about his experiences on Friday afternoon.”
This would seem to contradict allegations that only TVNZ will get the story.
Jim Loney, also of Christian Peacemaker Teams, arrived back in his home town yesterday, to great celebrations.
There has been concern that he might face bigotry as a result of news reports that he is a gay – a fact necessarily concealed from the media while he was in captivity, as it would have further imperilled his life.
“This is not a time for prejudice, it is a time for celebration that Jim is free, and that his witness to nonviolence and to the peace of Christ has remained strong throughout this terrible ordeal,” a supporter commented.