Emotional Plea

Published: Thu, 15 Oct 2009

Description: Families of captive Americans petition Iran for release

Automatically Generated Transcript (may not be 100% accurate)

" of three American hikers held captive in Iran making get another plea to the Iraqi Government to set their loved ones free. You'll remember back in July Iranian troops detained Josh for tall -- short and Shane Bauer. Today supporters delivered a petition a petition with 2700. Signatures to the Iraqi mission at the United Nations. The hikers were reportedly in Northern Iraq. And right near the border with -- But at some point they may have crossed into an unmarked boundary and found their way in Iran Iranian territory. Rick Leventhal with -- with a plea today Eric."

" the last time out Mittal says he saw a younger brother -- was in Sweden over the summer into the game -- who watched him ride off on a bicycle. Knowing that he was meeting friends eventually and Istanbul and then hiking into northern Iraq and he said he wasn't worried because he knew that they were responsible travelers and peace loving people. If they're guilty of anything it's it's just being the wrong place at the wrong time -- federal agency any kind. It's it's absolutely laughable I think if you think he asked them that -- with us. --"

" Alex for -- says he's extremely optimistic his Brothers eleven week ordeal is almost over Josh which college friend Shane Bauer and Sarah short have been detained in Iran since July 31. -- family members say they accidentally crossed an unmarked border while hiking and Iraqi Kurdistan. The families have have been allowed any contact with a group but say the Swiss ambassador visited them in prison September 20 ninth."

" They're sleeping they're eating given the big hug and let them know that. The whole world is very concerned about about them."

" The family's created a website free the hikers dot award filling more than 2500 petitions delivering them to the Iranian mission in New York. And on his recent visit here arriving in President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he'd asked his judiciary to expedite the case and show maximum leniency. That was three weeks ago."

" Hit it causes us great pain and I know my mother and having two mothers and all the other siblings and all the families had just experiencing a tremendous heartache that time is passing very -- A relief can't come soon enough. And the group has now spent 76 days and thirteen hours in captivity. Rick Leventhal thank you --"

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an unmistakable signal that we will keep our commitments. With the sovereign Iraqi Government . As I said before we -- no bases in Iraq nor do we make any claim on Iraq's territory or resources. Going forward we will continue to provide training and support for Iraqi Security Forces that are capable and nonsectarian. We'll move forward with our strategy to responsibly remove all American combat brigades from Iraq. By the end of next August and to fulfill our commitment to remove all American troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. As we move forward prime minister Maliki and I have no doubt that there will be some tough days ahead. There will be attacks on Iraqi Security Forces and the American troops supporting them. There are still those in Iraq would murder innocent men women and children. There's still those who want -- foment. Sectarian conflict. But make no mistake. Those efforts will fail. Iraqi People have already rejected these forces of division of destruction. And American troops have the capability to support and flexibility they need to stand with our Iraqi partners on behalf. Of -- sovereign secure and self reliant Iraq. Because we believe that the future does not belong to those who would destroy it belongs to those who would build. To that in America strongly supports efforts by the Iraqi Government to promote national unity. Which will help ensure that people in all parts of Iraq can live in peace and prosperity. Prime

future. This progress has been made possible by the resilience of the Iraqi people and security forces. And also because of the extraordinary service of American troops and civilians in Iraq. Now were in the midst

they've been given and they forged countless partnerships and friendships with the Iraqi People . I know that this story is one the can be told by people in both our country and that the Iraqi People have been to work extraordinary hardship. In their pursuit of a brighter day. So many Iraqis and Americans have made so many

adventures effected its infrastructure effected the services that should've gone to the Iraqi People therefore the relationship between the two sides. As it did see and witness progress on the security front. And in combating terror.

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