Former Hostage Jill Carroll: Makes a Public Statement

We are all grateful that Jill Carrol has been released alive from her captors in Iraq. It was 12 long weeks for her, and she is lucky to survived the ordeal alive.

This is part of her statement that can be found on the Christian Science Monitor:

"During my last night in captivity, my captors forced me to participate in a propaganda video. They told me they would let me go if I cooperated. I was living in a threatening environment, under their control, and wanted to go home alive. I agreed."

"Things that I was forced to say while captive are now being taken by some as an accurate reflection of my personal views. They are not. The people who kidnapped me and murdered Allan Enwiya are criminals, at best. They robbed Allan of his life and devastated his family. They put me, my family and my friends--and all those around the world, who have prayed so fervently for my release--through a horrific experience. I was, and remain, deeply angry with the people who did this."

She also tells how she made a statement to Iraqi news media under distress, and still fearful for her life.

We are thankful that she is now safe with her family.