17 Quotes by Richard Bergenheim

We appreciate the wide ranging efforts being made by Iraqi and US officials to secure Jill's release. We hope that today's encouraging statements about Jill's condition and prospects for safe return are proved correct.

She is a professional journalist whose only goal has been to report truthfully about Iraq and to promote understanding.

Neither we, nor the family, nor anyone that we know of were involved with negotiations. This really was a bolt out of the blue.

Today is just a wonderful day of rejoicing. Jill's friends at the Monitor can't wait to see her and there is no way to thank everyone -- everyone at the press, everyone around the world, all government officials, all Iraqi people, our hearts go out to you in thanks. Bless you all for all that you have done to give Jill and her family this tremendous, wonderfully happy day.

It is always difficult to see someone speaking under coercion and under these circumstances. We are seeking more information about the letter that Jill refers to in the video. We remain in constant contact with Jill's family and are still doing everything possible to obtain Jill's release.

Jill's ability to help others understand the issues facing all groups in Iraq has been invaluable.

Yesterday was way too soon. I think they're investigating whether she could leave today. But her family wants to make sure that she's strong enough, emotionally and otherwise, to take this step.

When you're making a video and having to recite certain things with three men with machine guns standing over you, you're probably going to say exactly what you're told to say.

We add our voice to those of Arabs around the world, and especially to those in Iraq , who have condemned this act of kidnapping. We ask that she be returned to the protection of her family immediately.