Jill Carroll returns safely to U.S

WASHINGTON – Almost three months after being kidnapped in Baghdad, Jill Carroll is finally released. Carroll, 28, works for The Christian Science Monitor and has been reporting from the Middle East for three years. At the time she was taken, she was in the car with her driver and interpreter. Carroll was held hostage by the Brigades of Vengeance in demand that all female prisoners of Iraq under U.S custody to be released. So far five female prisoners have been released which U.S military claims these releases were preplanned. Carroll was released unharmed and told Susan Garraty, from CNN news that during her captivity she was “treated very well.” Also, in regards to her release, Carroll explained to CNN interviewers that she was unsure to as how she obtained her freedom, “They just came to me this morning and told me they will release me.” Although Carroll’s family will not be in Iraq’s capital to be with her after her release, they were there in Boston to celebrate her return back to the United States, which was last Sunday. While in Mexico, George Bush told this to reporters of CNN in regards to Carroll’s release; “”I’m just really grateful she was released, and I want to thank those who worked hard to release her, and we’re glad she’s alive.” However, Carroll is just one of few who have been held hostage and released by Iraqi’s. According to Lynn Tehini of Reporters Without Borders, a journalism advocacy group, three journalists still remain captive in Iraq. On the contrary to what some believe David Cook of the Monitor’s Washington bureau chief tells Garraty, no ransom was paid for Jill Carroll’s release. In Iraq kidnapping is not uncommon, at least thirty- five people have been taken into hostage within the past two weeks.