<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Occupied Palestine | فلسطين]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[occupiedpalestine]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/author/hajarhajar/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[KIDNAPPED AID-WORKERS SPEAK OF CONTINUING ORDEAL ABOARD ABSCONDING GREEK SHIP &#8211; 11/11/2010 at 22.30&nbsp;GMT]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<div>
<div>by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001605685078">Ellie Merton</a> on Friday, 12 November 2010 at 00:21</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p><strong></p>
<h2>IMMEDIATE RELEASE</h2>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>EXCLUSIVE  &#8211; Dramatic footage of the moment the Greek ship&#8217;s captain went berserk  will soon be available from documentary film maker, Josh Barnes,  currently still at Derna Port in Libya with Road to Hope, Convoy to  Gaza.  To request footage, contact Josh at email is: </strong><strong>barnesjoshuawilliam@gmail.com</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>PRESS RELEASE &#8211; ROAD TO HOPE, CONVOY TO GAZA</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>THURSDAY 11/11/2010 &#8211; 22.30 GMT</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>KIDNAPPED AID-WORKERS SPEAK OF CONTINUING ORDEAL ABOARD ABSCONDING GREEK SHIP</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>10  aid workers have made their first contact by mobile phone text messages  to family and friends.  They have spoken at length about their ordeal  onboard &#8220;Strofades IV&#8221; Greek-owned ship, registered in Malta.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The  10 aid workers are out of physical danger, sitting together in one  small cabin in the lower-deck&#8217;s crew quarters of the ship. They want to  reassure everyone they are OK:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Mustapha El-Guerbouzi (46) &#8211; UK National, resident in West London</p>
<p>Kieran L Turner (38) &#8211; UK National, resident in Liverpool</p>
<p>Raheal Parveez (25) &#8211; UK National, resident in North East London</p>
<p>Aziz Mekkati (43) &#8211; Algerian National, resident in Algeria</p>
<p>Yunus Malik (23) &#8211; UK National, resident in London</p>
<p>Nagib Elgarib Elbarrami (32) &#8211; UK National</p>
<p>David T Callander (35) &#8211; Irish National</p>
<p>Tauqir A Sharif (23)- UK National, resident in North East London</p>
<p>Kenneth O&#8217;Keefe (41)- Irish National</p>
<p>Khalid Mohamed Omar Ali (21) &#8211; UK National</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>There  are 7 (more than previously reported) Libyans on the ship as well.  The  Libyans include customs inspectors, border police and the harbour  manager for Derna Port.  The Libyans are being treated better than the  aid workers, seem to have separate cabins, have more freedom of movement  and are in contact with Libyan authorities by radio and mobile phone.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Kieran  Turner says: &#8220;At one point we managed to get hold of a ship&#8217;s radio,  and got through to a nearby tanker &#8211; OCL Oakland.  Through the tanker we  sent out distress messages, requesting help, and these got passed onto  two alleged Nato warships in the area P492 and F452.&#8221;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Ken O&#8217;Keefe added: &#8220;They said they would help, but no one has come to rescue us.  That was some hours ago.&#8221;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Kieran  adds: &#8220;At first we were made to stay in the loading bay area at the  rear of the ship, which was really dangerous once the ship got out to  sea &#8211; the ship&#8217;s loading door is still open at a 45degree angle!  They  didn&#8217;t give us any life jackets. And that was when the weather was still  calm.  The weather is rough now &#8211; you can just imagine&#8230;&#8221;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Kieran  further adds: &#8220;Initially we were stopped from moving around the ship  and had to stay in the bottom of the lower deck. Eventually we just  walked through to the crew quarters, and they&#8217;ve let us occupy their  small smoking room.  At least we are safe and in the dry, and it has a  couch so we can try to sleep. We&#8217;ve been given one meal, of sorts, since  the ship left Derna.  We&#8217;ve got access to water, but it&#8217;s not drinking  water.&#8221;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Ken O&#8217;Keefe has tried to talk to the Captain on a  number of occasions.  At first he succeeded in talking to him, but since  then the captain has blanked him.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The 10 convoyers still  do not know where the boat is headed.  They asked Ellie to describe to  them where the ship appeared on an internet &#8220;ship tracking&#8221; website.   She described they were about 25 miles off the western tip of Crete,  heading due north further into Greek territorial waters. The guess is  that the berthing port chosen by the captain will be a small, regional  port west of Athens on mainland Greece, several hours sail away.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Ellie  says: &#8220;The relief being able to talk to them was huge: to know they are  physically safe and unharmed.  However, we remain extremely worried  about their overall safety &#8211; rough seas, and a bow door open at 45degree  angle?  It&#8217;s criminal the captain is sailing in rough weather with an  unsecured vessel.  Really shocking.  I am also disappointed to hear the  ship owner and his assistant are armed, and refuse to give the convoyers  freedom of movement around the ship. The aid workers are genuine  hostages. It is still deeply worrying.&#8221;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>For further information, please contact:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Ellie Merton</p>
<p>London Liaison</p>
<p>Road to Hope, Convoy to Gaza</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.roadtohope.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.roadtohope.co.uk</a></p>
<p>+44 7770 376701</p>
<p>elliemerton@gmail.com</p>
</div>
</div>
]]></html></oembed>