Johnston in bomber’s belt

GAZA CITY – In a new video, kidnapped British journalist Alan Johnston appears with what he says are explosives strapped to his body and warns that his captors intend to set them off if rescuers attempt to free him by force.

The tape, called ‘Alan’s Appeal’, was seen yesterday after it was put on a Web site used in the past by militant groups to post messages. It was made by the Army of Islam, the shadowy group that claimed responsibility for snatching Johnston, a correspondent with the British Broadcasting Corp., from a Gaza City street on March 12.”Captors tell me that very promising negotiations were ruined when the Hamas movement and the British government decided to press for a military solution to this kidnapping,” Johnston says in the 1 minute, 42 second, recording, looking nervous and under stress.”And the situation is now very serious, as you can see.”Johnston is seen wearing a red sweater and a blue and white checked vest – apparently an explosives harness of the type used by suicide bombers.”I have been dressed in what is an explosive belt, which the kidnappers say will be detonated if there is an attempt to storm the area,” he continued.”They say they are ready to turn the hideout into what they describe as a death zone if there is an attempt to free me by force.”Johnston stood and shook his head as he spoke.Light entered the room from above, and Arabic subtitles were shown on the screen.”I do appeal to the Hamas movement and the British government not, not to, resort to the tactics of force in an effort to end this,” he said, in a jittery tone.”I’d ask the BBC and anyone in Britain who wishes me well to support me in that appeal,” he said.”It seems the answer is to return to negotiations, which I am told are very close to achieving a deal.”Neither the British government nor the BBC have publicly advocated the use of force to free Johnston.A BBC statement released on Monday reiterated calls for his peaceful release.Nampa-APIt was made by the Army of Islam, the shadowy group that claimed responsibility for snatching Johnston, a correspondent with the British Broadcasting Corp., from a Gaza City street on March 12.”Captors tell me that very promising negotiations were ruined when the Hamas movement and the British government decided to press for a military solution to this kidnapping,” Johnston says in the 1 minute, 42 second, recording, looking nervous and under stress.”And the situation is now very serious, as you can see.”Johnston is seen wearing a red sweater and a blue and white checked vest – apparently an explosives harness of the type used by suicide bombers.”I have been dressed in what is an explosive belt, which the kidnappers say will be detonated if there is an attempt to storm the area,” he continued.”They say they are ready to turn the hideout into what they describe as a death zone if there is an attempt to free me by force.”Johnston stood and shook his head as he spoke.Light entered the room from above, and Arabic subtitles were shown on the screen.”I do appeal to the Hamas movement and the British government not, not to, resort to the tactics of force in an effort to end this,” he said, in a jittery tone.”I’d ask the BBC and anyone in Britain who wishes me well to support me in that appeal,” he said.”It seems the answer is to return to negotiations, which I am told are very close to achieving a deal.”Neither the British government nor the BBC have publicly advocated the use of force to free Johnston.A BBC statement released on Monday reiterated calls for his peaceful release.Nampa-AP