Re: Marine Missing,
Coalition Cannot Confirm Hostage Reports

Date: June 27, 2004

"Marine Missing, But Coalition Can't Confirm Hostage Reports

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2004

Multinational Force Iraq officials in Baghdad today confirmed a U.S. Marine has been missing from his unit for a week, but said they can't confirm he's been taken hostage.

A news release from the Coalition Press Information Center said Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun, assigned to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, has been missing from his unit since June 21.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service, however, cannot confirm news reports that the corporal ˆ who is of Lebanese descent -- has been taken hostage, the news release said.

More information was promised as it becomes available."

AND - Middle East News Agencies are reporting, and running a photograph of a blindfolded Marine. Al-Jazeera ran the image and a photograph of a US Marine active duty ID card. The feed goes:

"An armed group saying it has kidnapped a US Marine has threatened to behead the captive unless Iraqi prisoners are released in the war-torn country, according to a video broadcast on Al Jazeera television.

The group, which called itself the "Islamic Retaliation Movement - Armed Resistance Wing," said it had abducted the Marine of Pakistani origin and would execute him unless detainees in US-led coalition prisons are not freed.

It identified the US hostage as Hasun Wassef Ali, claiming to have abducted him after "infiltrating a US military base in Iraq".

The US military said it was investigating the claim and that a Marine of Lebanese descent was missing in Iraq.

The spokesman said the Marine belonged to the First Marine Expeditionary Force and had been missing since June 21.

"Contrary to press reports, Naval Criminal Investigative Services cannot confirm Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun was taken hostage," the spokesman said."