Plea to those who abducted the Four, by Yorifumi Yaguchi

The author of the following is a Japanese poet and leader in the Japanese peace movement.

The photograph accompanying this poem shows Sault Ste. Marie's James Loney (front right) protesting U.S. foreign policy at the Summit of the Americas held in Quebec City in April 2001.

Yesterday's deadline for execution of Loney and three fellow Christian Peacemaker Teams members in Baghdad passed with no work on their well-being.

There's also no indication that the kidnappers made any contact with government officials yesterday.

************************ Plea to Those Who Abducted the Four

by Yorifumi Yaguchi

Why did you abduct those Who tried to make peace without weapons? In Japan in Middle Ages Even the samurai did not draw Their swords against the unarmed.

Why did you abduct those Who opposed Israeli Military's demolition Of the Arab houses in Hebron, Who were protecting Palestine children On their way to school from being attacked?

Why did you abduct those Who publicly denounced the torture At Abu Graib and let all the world know, Who with the Iraqi families negotiate with U.S. Military for their missing husbands and sons?

Why did you abduct them? Aren't they the ambassadors of Peace and love from God you believe? They are gentle people who never retaliate Against those who harm them.

Aren't they a God-given Thread of hope? Please do not cut it. If you did it, The stones on the road will cry with sadness.

********************** More SooToday.com coverage of Jim Loney

Saultite kidnapped, accused of spying in Iraq More on the Jim Loney story Saultites remember James Loney A tale of two fathers - by James Loney Statements from families of abducted peace activists World Council of Churches calls for James Loney's release The passionate Catholicism of James Loney Kidnappers to kill James Loney next week St. Gerard Majella to hold prayer service for Jim Loney Noam Chomsky fights for kidnapped Saultite Toronto fasts and prays for Jim Loney Loney family makes video for broadcast on Arab TV Pictures of a peacemaker Letters from James Loney's friends An old friend of Jim Loney's from Columbus Boys Camp Our family would like to express its deepest gratitude Deadline extended for James Loney Iraqi group kills U.S. security contractor More about James Loney Prayers for Jim Loney, from British Columbia From Iraq, only silence They're thinking of Jim Loney today in Grassy Narrows Jim Loney update A litany of resistance - by James Loney Plea to Those Who Abducted the Four, by Yorifumi Yaguchi