New Zealand Prime Minister calls for Jim Loney's release

The following statement was issued tonight by the Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand.

It calls for the release in Iraq of Harmeet Sooden, a Canadian student studying in New Zealand, as well as three other Christian Peacemaker Teams activists including Sault Ste. Marie's James Loney.

Meanwhile, Sooden's family says its shocked at the way his appearance has changed in the most recent video.

"He looks pretty dishevelled and I think he's lost a bit of weight and he's obviously looking very tired so you know for us to see someone we care about in that situation is very difficult," Sooden's brother-in-law Mark Brewer told Radio New Zealand.

************************ New Zealand concern for Harmeet Sooden

Prime Minister Helen Clark said that the thoughts of all New Zealanders will be with Harmeet Sooden's family today.

"Harmeet's family and the families of the three other hostages with him have had a long and worrying delay since they last heard news of their loved ones.

This latest video shows Harmeet and his friends alive.

"The New Zealand Government continues to urge the captors of Harmeet and his friends to release them. All four were on a peaceful mission to Iraq, and were motivated purely by a desire to help the Iraqi people.

"Our government will continue to liaise closely with the government of Canada and other governments to support their efforts to secure the release of Harmeet and his friends. New Zealand officials are in close contact with Harmeet's family in Auckland," Helen Clark said.

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