Tuesday, August 26, 2008
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said the Australian government was pursuing all appropriate channels to seek further information about Mr Brennan's welfare and location.
"The Australian High Commissioner in Nairobi is working closely with the senior members of the Somali government to seek Mr Brennan's release," he said.
"The Somali government has informed us they are using every channel to persuade the kidnappers to release the hostage unconditionally."
The spokesman said Australian authorities were awaiting further advice from the Somali government.
"We are also in contact with foreign governments with interests in Somalia and UN agencies in Somalia to seek their cooperation and assistance," he said.
Australian officials are working closely with the Canadian government, who are trying to obtain the release of 26-year-old Canadian freelance journalist Amanda Landhout, taken at gunpoint with Mr Brennan, 35, about 25km from the Somali capital Mogadishu.
The pair, as well as two Somalis who accompanied them, were being held north-east of Mogadishu by a militia group, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSJ) said on its website.
Islamist insurgents in Somalia on Tuesday denied claims they were behind the kidnapping of the Australian and Canadian.
A spokesman for Somalia's Islamist insurgents said it appeared to be the work of a fringe group.
"We don't know who kidnapped them. There is a (rebel) group which kidnaps for ransom, separate from rivals who have political objectives," Islamist spokesman Sheikh Abdirahim Isse Adow told Reuters.
He said his group was investigating and would help to free the pair.
"We shall do all that is possible to save them," he said.
The journalists are believed to have been abducted as they came from interviewing and taking photographs at a refugee camp in Afgoye district.
The DFAT spokesman said the incident had underlined the dangerous security situation in Somalia.
"Our travel advice for Somalia cautions Australians against any travel to Somalia and warns of the very high risk of terrorist attack, violent crime and kidnapping," he said.
"There have been several recent kidnappings of foreign nationals in Somalia."
Officials said it was unlikely there would be a speedy resolution.
Meanwhile, Mr Brennan's friends and family were maintaining a vigil.
Long-term family friend Jeff Bennett said Mr Brennan's parents were desperately awaiting positive news.
"They are beside themselves and feeling helpless, but they are trying to stay positive," the Bundaberg News-Mail quoted Mr Bennett as saying.
Mr Bennett said his children had lit a candle for Mr Brennan while they waited for news.
"When he comes home, they will blow it out," he said.
Mr Bennett last heard from his friend about two weeks ago, when he said he was looking forward to catching up with his mates for "a beer and a fish".
A media watchdog is urging the Somali government and Islamic militia to ensure the safety of kidnapped journalists, including Australian Nigel Brennan, in Africa's "most dangerous" nation.
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it was "deeply concerned about the safety of three journalists and their driver who were abducted by an unknown armed group two days ago.
"Somalia continues to be the most dangerous place for local and foreign journalists in Africa," the CPJ's Africa Program coordinator Tom Rhodes said.
"CPJ calls on both the transitional government and the Islamic Courts Union to adhere to their public statements to do everything possible to ensure the safe release of these media workers."
Source: The Age, Aug 26, 2008