US Seeking 'Clarity' About Algeria Hostage Situation

The United States is seeking "clarity" about reports of deaths in an Algerian military raid aimed at freeing hostages at a gas field seized by Islamists, the White House said Thursday, while the State Department is urging safety for US citizens and companies in Algeria.

Published

4 months ago

Categories

US, World

Topics

Terrorism, United States, US Politics, Africa

People

Jay Carney, Victoria Nuland

Places

United States of America, Algeria, Mali

Transcript

SHOTLIST : WASHINGTON, JANUARY 17, 2013, SOURCE: US POOL **NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes** SOUNDBITE 1 Jay Carney (man), White House spokesman (English, 16 sec): "We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack on BP personel and facilities in Algeria and we are closely monitoring the situation. We are in contact with Algerian authorities and our international partners as well as with BP's security offices in London." SOUNDBITE 2 Jay Carney (man), White House spokesman (English, 6 sec): "We are certainly concerned about reports of loss of life and are seeking clarity from the government of Algeria." - Jay Carney entering briefing room WASHINGTON, JANUARY 17, 2013, SOURCE: US POOL **NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes** SOUNDBITE 3 Victoria Nuland (woman), State Department spokeswoman (English, 22 sec): "As you know, the situation is extremely fluid on the ground. We are working with the government of Algeria. We are working with other affected nations to try to resolve this situation. But as you can imagine, as we talked about yesterday, this is a hostage situation. Our first priority is for the safety and the security of the people involved." - Victoria Nuland at press briefing ------------ AFP TEXT STORY: Algeria-Mali-conflict-energy-kidnap-Islamist-US,REAX URGENT ¥¥¥ US seeking 'clarity' about Algeria hostage situation WASHINGTON, Jan 17, 2013 (AFP) - The United States is seeking "clarity" about reports of deaths in an Algerian military raid aimed at freeing hostages at a gas field seized by Islamists, the White House said Thursday. White House spokesman Jay Carney expressed US "concerns," but did not say if US officials were informed by Algeria ahead of the raid in which hostages were reportedly killed. adm/jm