WHEN: 311600JUL09So, the military appear to warned these hikers re the danger they would encounter, and concluded that they had an intent to agitate and create publicity regarding international policies on Iran.
HOW: MND-N G2 reported a kidnapping of 3 Americans who were being taken to the Iranian border. The Americans were hiking near the Iranian border when taken. A fourth tourist did not go hiking with them and reported that a kidnapped female called him saying that they were being surrounded by armed men...
UPDATE 311632JUL09: JPRC (Corps Personnel Recovery) is reporting that the victims were tourists who came to Iraq to go rock climbing...
S2 ASSESSMENT: The lack of coordination on the part of these hikers, particularly after being forewarned, indicates an intent to agitate and create publicity regarding international policies on Iran. The leadership in Iran benefits as it focuses the Iranian population on a perceived external threat rather than internal dissension. Kurdish leaders remain concerned about international perceptions regarding security as they seek to increase investment in the KRG. Expect KRG leadership to intervene to return the 3 individuals and the Iranian government to accuse them of being spies. Additionally, KRG leadership may impose additional restrictions on private activities near the Iranian border.
25 October 2010
A Wikileak re the U.S. hikers kidnapped by Iran
An excerpt from a partially-redacted document published by the New York Times:
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Tourists going to Iraq to go rock climbing? Perhaps they should have climbed the huge rocks in their heads.
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