Thursday, June 10, 2004

WARSAW, Poland — A rescued Polish hostage said Thursday that U.S. soldiers burst through a steel door to the house where he and others were held captive in Iraq, then assured them: "Don't worry, we are Americans."



Businessman Jerzy Kos (search) arrived home after being freed from Iraqi insurgents Tuesday in Baghdad with another Pole and three Italians.

"I am very moved to be back in Poland and to be alive," Kos said at Warsaw airport after stepping off his plane, his face pale and voice trembling. "I am so moved, I can hardly speak."

The 64-year-old construction company director described his rescue as a lighting-quick operation.

They were imprisoned in a house in Ramadi (search), west of Baghdad, until Tuesday, when they heard helicopters approaching. The door was then blown in, kicking up a dust cloud and knocking the hostages to the ground.

"When I opened my eyes, I saw American soldiers," he said. "They said, 'Don't worry, we are Americans.' They held our hands and we ran to the helicopter — I will remember that for the rest of my life."

"It was fast and unexpected. They did it perfectly," Kos said.

Kos was abducted June 1 by armed attackers along with another employee, Radoslaw Kadri (search), two female Iraqi employees and three Kurdish guards. Kadri escaped, while the two women were released shortly after being captured.

Kos' company said the abductors were believed to be part of a kidnapping network.

A day after he was taken, Kos was put in a room with the three Italians, who were seized in April, and they were then all moved together until their release, he said.

"We talked a lot and supported each other as much as we could," he said.

A fourth Italian taken with the other three April 12 was killed by his captors, and while Kos said he initially thought his captors planned to kill him, he said he later realized they "wanted to do some business."

He said he was once beaten on the head with a gun, but otherwise suffered no further physical abuse.

Nonetheless, conditions were "extreme," Kos said, describing the food he was fed as so bad it gave him diarrhea.

"I am surprised that I survived," he said.

Kadri was due to return Friday.

Why did you post this? I mean, what is there to really discuss about it, except to praise the soldiers involved?

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Proudly a "South Park Republican"

Good news is a nice change.

Thanks Hans!

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"The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left."
Ecclesiastes 10:2 (NIV)

is that there are brave men doing great things over in Iraq. Can't we recognize such things instead of focusing on the abuse? I mean, the fact that you even question why this is relevant shows me how ingrained we are to hearing only certain kind of news, bad news.

I am tired of the negativity. Good things happen all the time, but it is a shame that people don't want to hear it.

I never doubted that such things went on in Iraq. Nor do I doubt the men's bravery. I just don't see what the point of putting this in a political message board is...

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Proudly a "South Park Republican"

so we can discuss positive things going on in Iraq.

Ok, well you should have stated that in your original post, as opposed to simply posting the news story.

It was one of those "thanks for the update, John" moments

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Proudly a "South Park Republican"

my intention was to see how people would react to some good news for a change. And I got the response that I was looking for. Thanks!

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"Why check the third lock on the front door when the back door is wide open?" -Orson Scott Card


"Ohh, ADD, what bliss, ahh..err...what was i saying?" -Me