Kidnappers say ready to release Chinese but want oil firms out
October 24, 2008 (LONDON) — Kidnappers of Chinese oil workers said they want China’s oil firms to leave the area in return for the hostages’ release, a press report said on Friday.
Three Chinese engineers and six other workers employed by the China National Petroleum Corporation were kidnapped on October 19 in South Kordofan. Oil fields in the area are run by the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company, a consortium involving China’s CNPC, India’s ONGC, Malaysia’s Petronas and state-owned Sudapet.
The head of the kidnappers, Abu Humaid Ahmed Dannay told the London based Asharq Al-Awsat that they are ready to release the 9 abducted Chinese but they want the Chinese companies leave the area.
“We don’t have any material demands. We want Chinese companies to leave the region immediately because they work with the government,” he said.
Danny said he is the head of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in Kordofan. He also said belonging to the Messeria Arab tribe. The newspaper said further that he was a former militias leader who fought the former rebels in southern Sudan.
However JEM officials contacted by the Arabic daily were not able to confirm or to deny he is part of the rebel group.
Danny also told the Pan-Arab daily that the abduction was aimed at drawing attention to the lack of development in the region and the failure of oil companies operating there to help provide services or jobs for natives.
The members of the Arab Messeria tribe had reportedly carried out the kidnapping because they want a greater share of the region’s oil revenue.
The Messeria were also blamed for the kidnapping of four Indian oil workers and their Sudanese driver in the same area in May. All five managed to escape or were released unharmed, the last one in July.
The visiting Chinese envoy for Darfur, Liu Guijin, said that his country and Sudan are coordinating efforts to secure the release of the release of the Chinese oil workers who were kidnapped in south Kordofan.
In the past, Darfur rebels have kidnapped foreign oil workers from Sudanese oilfields, often targeting Chinese companies because of their strong ties with Khartoum, although all of those abducted eventually emerged unscathed.
In October 2007, Darfur rebels from JEM attacked an oilfield run by the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company, a consortium involving China’s CNPC.
(ST)
kelvin
Kidnappers say ready to release Chinese but want oil firms out
Firstly to kidnap the chinese oil workers who were at the site merely to operate the oil faciltiies is wrong. We do not go around kidnapping innocent people, this is like an act of a terrorist. We are God fearing people, we are not terrorists, how can we do such an act to innocent people who are here to help us operate the oil facilities. I cannot understand it. Without the chinese, how can we be able to export our oil and get revenue to develop our country. One day stoppage is money to the country.
Secondly, if we ask China’s oil firms to leave the area, who are we going to bring in the investors, the americans?
The chinese has invested billions of dollars and provided technology, expertise and aids to Sudan in order for us to be able to explore and export our oil. Please remember the chinese were invited to Sudan, what happen one day the chinese got fed up with all these nuisances and decide to pack their bags and go to some other countries, then it will be great disaster for us and it will be too late. Do we want the american to replace the chinese, of course not. Without the chinese, we will not be what we are today.
Freedom Fighter
Kidnappers say ready to release Chinese but want oil firms out
I think JEM act is legitimate and justified. Chinese contiune to arm Omer Albashir knowing that their weapons are being used in killing innocent civilians in Darfur. Also, they have been obstacle for the international community efforts to bring peace and justice to Darfur. JEM has ever right to act in away they did in defense of themseleves, and in defense of the Darfur people. Nevertheless, JEM Chairman, Mr. Khalil Ibrahim still yet to come clean by publicly denouncing his past barnaric JIHAD in the South. I know Mr.Ibrahim before he defacted he was one of Al-bashir most trusted terrorist commandors who committed genucide in the South. He was named by Al-Bashir as AMIR AL-MUJIHADIIN after he managed to kill two million infidel Southerners. Now, how the killing look like Mr. Khalil, the man you helped to finish infidels is now killing your people, and calling them slaves.
matur majok
Kidnappers say ready to release Chinese but want oil firms out
Wow!Mr Dannay,that is just terrorist act to attack inocent chinese oil workers in your destination.why can’t you feel ashame of that.at first, referring to your background,you fought against former southern rebel,SPLA,and now you are against kartoum government you fought for.which one is which? i don’n understand you,if you knew you were at first blindful by Arabs, then you should have sake for some vital advice and join hands with southerners to get rid of monopolous kartoum government earlier the better.now it is too late for you to think back of what this traders (Arabs)are doing and you should not let your frutration on foreign workers.Mat!!!