Alan forced to wear bomb belt

A video of kidnapped journalist Alan Johnston which shows him wearing a suicide bomber's explosives belt has been released by his captors.The recording, posted on a website used by militants, shows Mr Johnston appealing to the British Government and Palestinian group Hamas not to try to free him by force, saying negotiations had reached a "very promising" stage.He is wearing a blue and white checked vest strapped around his torso and attached to shoulder straps which he says is an explosive belt.The video, which is just under two minutes long, opens with the title "Alan's Appeal" in both English and Arabic and features the logo of the Army of Islam, the group that has claimed responsibility for the gunpoint abduction of Mr Johnston as he made his way home from work in Gaza City on March 12.Mr Johnston tells the camera: "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 and the situation is now very serious.""As you can see, 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 continues: "They say they are ready to turn the hide-out into what they describe as a death zone if there is an attempt to free me by force."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."I would ask the BBC and anyone in Britain who wishes me well to support me in that appeal. It seems the answer is to return to negotiations, which I am told are very close to achieving a deal."The video has been condemned by Mr Johnston's family, the British Government and Hamas.A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We condemn the continued release of videos like this which can only add to the distress of Alan Johnston's family and friends."They have not seen Alan for over 14 weeks. Those holding Alan should release him."We remain in very close touch with Alan's family and the BBC and we are in close contact with the relevant people in the Palestinian territories."A BBC spokeswoman said: "It is very distressing for his family and colleagues to see him being threatened in this way."We ask those holding Alan to avoid him being harmed by releasing him immediately. We are keeping his family fully informed and offering them our continued support."© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

ITN | June 25, 2007

Tags:. .UK News. .stage. .remain. .reached. .effort