Jill Carroll's Official Statement Released

Via the Christian Science Monitor, freed hostage Jill Carroll has released a statement. She begins with thanks to all who have helped her and who had spoken up on her behalf and continues:

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 Alan Enwiya are criminals, at best. They robbed Alan 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.

I also gave a TV interview to the Iraqi Islamic Party shortly after my release. The party had promised me the interview would never be aired on television, and broke their word. At any rate, fearing retribution from my captors, I did not speak freely. Out of fear I said I wasn't threatened. In fact, I was threatened many times.

Also, at least two false statements about me have been widely aired: That I refused to travel and cooperate with the US military and that I refused to discuss my captivity with US officials. Again, neither is true.

I want to be judged as a journalist, not as a hostage. I remain as committed as ever to fairness and accuracy--to discovering the truth--and so I will not engage in polemics. But let me be clear: I abhor all who kidnap and murder civilians, and my captors are clearly guilty of both crimes.

The fact that she has to defend herself against detractors and doubters who have totally mischaracterized her is indeed sad. Hopefully now, many of those who have questioned her loyalties and sincerity will finally stop doing so. In a perfect world, they would move on, but there has been so much hatred expressed on some right-wing blogs this week that the poison has now spread far and wide. No doubt, they will be loath to apologize to this victim of terror - the very same terror they purport to support their president so fiercely in defeating - since many are just incapable of admitting that they are wrong about anything.

May Jill Carroll find peace and healing.