Baladi News - Media
The US envoy for hostage affairs Tuesday called on Iran and Russia to use their influence in Syria to help free Austin Tice, an American freelance journalist who was taken captive there six years ago.
Robert C. O Brien, the point man trying to secure the release of about 20 Americans held unjustly around the world, said some countries are being “very helpful” in trying to get Tice freed. Asked which countries were not being helpful, he replied: “The Iranians are not helpful. And they’re heavily involved in Syria.”
Later, he added, “If Iran wants better relations with the United States, it should use its influence in Syria to help us return Austin home.”
O Brien sounded a similar note when asked about Russia, which provides military support to the Assad regime.
“One of the things that both Russia and the United States should agree on is that innocent Americans, or innocent Russians, for that matter, should not be held hostage and should not be held against their will,” he said. “We continue to call on the Russians to exert whatever influence they can in Syria to bring Austin home.”
Source: Orient Net