Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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Russia Cannot Confirm Hostage Killings in Iraq
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=12C7756:3919ACA Russian FM tells
Russian television Monday that experts are studying an Internet video
that purportedly shows the killing of three of the four hostages





One of the Russian hostages, who on June 13, 2006 identified himself
as Anatoly SmirnovRussia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says it is
not 100 percent clear that Russian embassy workers taken hostage in
Iraq have been killed.

Lavrov told Russian television Monday that experts are studying an
Internet video that purportedly shows the killing of three of the four
hostages.  He said the video posted Sunday was old and dated from
mid-June.

An al-Qaida-linked insurgent group (the Mujahedeen Shura Council) said
it killed the four Russians to avenge the alleged torture and killing
of its "brothers and sisters" by Russia's government.

The four were abducted earlier this month in an attack that killed a
fifth Russian.

Earlier, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki unveiled a
reconciliation plan intended to reduce violence by insurgents and
sectarian groups.

Mr. Maliki told parliament the plan includes an offer of amnesty to
those who have not taken part in criminal and terrorist activities. 

The White House welcomed the national reconciliation plan, saying the
process will take time to develop. 

But some U.S. lawmakers say they would condemn any plan that gives
amnesty to those responsible for killing U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Some
information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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