US chopper crashes, hostage request to save life

US Marine transport helicopter crashed in the west of the country. Search and rescue operation has started. “A US Marine Corps transport helicopter crashed January 26 at approximately 1:20 am (2220 GMT Tuesday) near Al-Rutba while conducting security and stabilization operations,” the US military said in a statement. According to military statement the aircraft was transporting personnel from the 1st Marine Division. The chopper grounded near to Jordanian border. Military officials have not officially announced something about the cause of the crash or the number of causalities in this chopper accident. Till now at least 48 US troops have been died in helicopter crashes since invasion of Iraq by US i.e. March 2003.

On other hand, Iraqi insurgents aired a video tape showing a US hostage pleading for his life. The video shows American Roy Hallums sitting on floor and appealing to the camera while a gun is pointed toward his head. Roy Hallums, 56, said he had been taken by a “resistance group” because “I have worked with American forces.” He appealed to Arab leaders, including Libya’s Moammar Gadhafi, to save his life. Mr. Hallums, 56, was abducted with five colleagues in Baghdad on November 1. He said: “I have been arrested by a resistance group in Iraq. I’m asking for help because my life is in danger because it’s been proved that I work for American forces.”

“I am please asking for help because my life is in danger because it’s been proved I worked for American forces,” the man said. “I’m not asking for any help from President Bush because I know of his selfishness and unconcern for those who’ve been pushed into this hellhole,” he added. The hostage said he wanted help from Arab rulers, in particular, Gadhafi, “because he’s known for helping those who are suffering.”

The election time is coming near; government is claiming that they will try to keep the election as much peaceful as possible. On contrary, the commander of U.S. forces in central and northern Iraq said Tuesday that he cannot guarantee the safety of Iraqis on Election Day, despite months of training Iraqi forces.

“I wouldn’t begin to say that,” said Maj. Gen. John Batiste, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, when asked whether voters would be able to cast ballots safely Sunday. “But Iraqi forces are setting them (elections) up well for success.”