Kember Forgives Iraqi Captors

Norman Kember, the former Christian Peacemaker Teams member who was taken hostage in Iraq exactly one year ago yesterday before being freed 118 days later, has said he "unconditionally forgives" his Iraqi captives.

Kember was joined at a press conference at the St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace Friday by his two fellow hostages and CPT members James Loney from Canada and Harmeet Singh Sooden, soon-to-be citizen of New Zealand.

The men reunited to make a statement on whether they would testify at a trial of the alleged captors, possibly resulting in the death penalty if found guilty.

Kember, Loney and Sooden expressed their sorrow that the fourth hostage, the murdered American Tom Fox, could not be with them.

Loney read out the joint statement in which the three men said: "We unconditionally forgive our captors for abducting and holding us. We have no desire to punish them. Punishment can never restore what was taken from us."

The statement continued: "What our captors did was wrong. They caused us, our families and our friends great suffering. Yet we bear no malice towards them and have no wish for retribution."

The three former hostages, coming together for the first time since their release in March, expressed their wish that the men who stand charged as their captors would be "granted all possible leniency" if they are brought to trial and convicted.

Mr Loney told reporters that the three had not yet decided if they would testify against their captors, citing a lack of adequate information.

They stressed, however, forgiveness and reconciliation with their captors, as Loney in particular saying that the death penalty would be the "worst possible outcome".

He also stressed their desire for healing, saying that they would only testify in a way that brought a measure of protection for the alleged captors from the death penalty.

Loney told Christian Today: "I don't desire punishment. I desire that there be healing and good come out of this. And I am very clear that the death penalty or a harsh retributive sentence would not be in keeping with my faith in Christianity."