German TV Says Hostage in Iraq Is Freed

[maddezmom]

BERLIN - A German television station reported Sunday that Susanne Osthoff, the German woman taken hostage in Iraq, has been freed, citing her brother.

N-tv quoted Robert Osthoff as saying, "My sister is free."

Robert Osthoff said he had "no idea" how she was freed.

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was to hold a press conference Sunday but ministry officials had no comment as journalists waited for it to begin.

Osthoff disappeared Nov. 25 in northern Iraq along with her Iraqi driver. Days later, the two were shown in a videotape blindfolded and sitting on a floor, with militants — one armed with a rocket-propelled grenade — standing beside them. The captors threatened to kill the hostages unless Germany stops dealing with the Iraqi government.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051218/ap_on_re_eu/germany_iraq_hostage;_

[Kellanved]

1. Steinmeier confirmed: she is free and safe

No news about her driver yet.

Edit: the driver is said to be free as well.

[Ian David]

2. Maybe the Iraqis were watching Sound of Music last night?

I have this picture in my head of Susan Osthoff and her captors dancing around in liederhosen doing that musical number with the puppet theater and suddenly the Iraqis say, "Okay, okay... you can go. But promise to send us some wienerschnitzel and strudel."