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Mother of UN officer kidnapped in Pakistan appeals for his release
The mother of an American kidnapped in Pakistan appealed for his freedom in a message released yesterday, describing her son as a "very gentle person" devoted to his humanitarian work.
- AP
- Published: 23:06 February 21, 2009
- Kidnapped UN official John Solecki (left), his mother Rose(centre) are seen in this picture taken last year.
- Image Credit: AP
Quetta, Pakistan: The mother of an American kidnapped in Pakistan appealed for his freedom in a message released yesterday, describing her son as a "very gentle person" devoted to his humanitarian work.
Rose Solecki asked for help from the people of southwest Pakistan's Balochistan province, where her son John Solecki was serving as the head of the regional UN refugee office when he was taken captive February 2. The United Nations has been trying to establish contact with the kidnappers, who have threatened to kill John Solecki.
The kidnapping has underlined the overall deteriorating security situation in nuclear-armed Pakistan, which is battling Al Qaida and Taliban-led fighters in its northwest. In her message, Rose Solecki expressed bewilderment at her son's predicament.
"I simply do not understand why this is happening to our dear John," said Rose Solecki, 83. "I cannot begin to explain the sorrows and pain that I am going through right now. My husband and I are old. We want to be with John again. We cannot bear losing John."
The audio message was released through the United Nations along with a photo of Solecki and his parents.
The United Nations has said the matter is very urgent because Solecki has a medical condition. In a 20-second clip released by his kidnappers on February 13, a blindfolded Solecki said he was "sick and in trouble."
Rose Solecki noted that she and her 91-year-old husband Ralph are both archaeologists and that she had lived in Balochistan many years before. The couple visited their son in the provincial capital of Quetta last year, she said.
In the February 13 message, Solecki's captors threatened to kill him within 72 hours, but later said they would extend the deadline for a "few days." It was unclear exactly when the new deadline would expire.
The kidnappers have identified themselves as the previously unknown Balochistan Liberation United Front. The name indicates the group is more likely linked to separatists than to Islamists.
The kidnappers have demanded the release of 141 women allegedly held in Pakistan, but Pakistani officials have said no such group of women are being held.
ap
Mother's concern
Kidnapped UN official John Solecki (left), his mother Rose (centre) are seen in this picture taken last year.
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