Post by Taxigirl on Nov 23, 2004 9:40:45 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4034435.stm
The family of County Armagh woman Annetta Flanigan who was held hostage in Afghanistan have spoken of their relief at her release.
Ms Flanigan's family said they were "overjoyed" at the news that Annetta and two UN colleagues were now free after 27 days in captivity.
The exact circumstances of their release remains unclear, though the Afghan interior minister denied any deal had been done with the kidnappers.
In a statement issued through the Foreign Office on Tuesday, her family said: "We are all absolutely overjoyed at the confirmed news that Annetta and her two colleagues, Shqipe and Angelito, have been released.
UN hostages freed in Afghanistan
"After all the terrible anxiety of the last 27 days it is an incredible relief to know that Annetta is safe and well and now reunited with her husband, Jose.
"We wish to express our sincere gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to secure Annetta's release.
"As a family we remain very grateful for everyone's concern about Annetta's well-being and for all the messages of support we have received from family and friends, and also from people all over the world.
"We have been sustained by these messages and the great kindness shown by the wider community.
"Knowing that we have been in so many people's thoughts and prayers has been a great source of comfort to us."
The family said they looked forward to seeing Annetta with her husband Jose when they came home to Northern Ireland in the near future.
Annetta's friend Mary Campbell, a BBC producer, said it was wonderful news.
"It's particularly wonderful for Annetta's family. It's a huge relief and joy for them because it's been a very difficult time for them," she said.
Mary, who studied at Queen's University in Belfast with Annetta, said she was "small in stature, but a strong character, a great story-teller and always interested in the wider world."
"There's been such good will and hope for her. A friend in London who is a teacher there had her whole primary school class praying for her daily. Lots of candles have been lit, but it has all worked," she said.
Ms Campbell said she did not know if this ordeal would deter Annetta from her work in the future.
She said: "She is a committed person and she is very strong and if she believes in something she would want to do it."
Reverend David Coe, rector of St Mathews Church in Richhill, said the release of the hostages was the answer to their prayers.
He said Annetta hoped to meet up with her family before Christmas.
'Absolutely delighted'
"We have been remembering Annetta every day and on Saturdays we had the church opened for a few hours to let the people come in and sit quietly and remember Annetta and her colleagues," he said.
"I thank God this ordeal is over for all three hostages."
Richhill Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Speers said there was immense relief in the village.
"People were very concerned and, to a certain degree, helpless in the fact that they could do very little about it from such a distance," he said.
"But the community is absolutely delighted. I certainly am, personally, and I'm quite sure that view is shared by everyone. "
Annetta and her two colleagues were released on Tuesday morning and taken by UN staff to a military base where they were identified and examined by medical staff.
Afghan Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali refused to confirm whether they were rescued by troops or if the group holding them set them free voluntarily.
The family of County Armagh woman Annetta Flanigan who was held hostage in Afghanistan have spoken of their relief at her release.
Ms Flanigan's family said they were "overjoyed" at the news that Annetta and two UN colleagues were now free after 27 days in captivity.
The exact circumstances of their release remains unclear, though the Afghan interior minister denied any deal had been done with the kidnappers.
In a statement issued through the Foreign Office on Tuesday, her family said: "We are all absolutely overjoyed at the confirmed news that Annetta and her two colleagues, Shqipe and Angelito, have been released.
UN hostages freed in Afghanistan
"After all the terrible anxiety of the last 27 days it is an incredible relief to know that Annetta is safe and well and now reunited with her husband, Jose.
"We wish to express our sincere gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to secure Annetta's release.
"As a family we remain very grateful for everyone's concern about Annetta's well-being and for all the messages of support we have received from family and friends, and also from people all over the world.
"We have been sustained by these messages and the great kindness shown by the wider community.
"Knowing that we have been in so many people's thoughts and prayers has been a great source of comfort to us."
The family said they looked forward to seeing Annetta with her husband Jose when they came home to Northern Ireland in the near future.
Annetta's friend Mary Campbell, a BBC producer, said it was wonderful news.
"It's particularly wonderful for Annetta's family. It's a huge relief and joy for them because it's been a very difficult time for them," she said.
Mary, who studied at Queen's University in Belfast with Annetta, said she was "small in stature, but a strong character, a great story-teller and always interested in the wider world."
"There's been such good will and hope for her. A friend in London who is a teacher there had her whole primary school class praying for her daily. Lots of candles have been lit, but it has all worked," she said.
Ms Campbell said she did not know if this ordeal would deter Annetta from her work in the future.
She said: "She is a committed person and she is very strong and if she believes in something she would want to do it."
Reverend David Coe, rector of St Mathews Church in Richhill, said the release of the hostages was the answer to their prayers.
He said Annetta hoped to meet up with her family before Christmas.
'Absolutely delighted'
"We have been remembering Annetta every day and on Saturdays we had the church opened for a few hours to let the people come in and sit quietly and remember Annetta and her colleagues," he said.
"I thank God this ordeal is over for all three hostages."
Richhill Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Speers said there was immense relief in the village.
"People were very concerned and, to a certain degree, helpless in the fact that they could do very little about it from such a distance," he said.
"But the community is absolutely delighted. I certainly am, personally, and I'm quite sure that view is shared by everyone. "
Annetta and her two colleagues were released on Tuesday morning and taken by UN staff to a military base where they were identified and examined by medical staff.
Afghan Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali refused to confirm whether they were rescued by troops or if the group holding them set them free voluntarily.