Todd Tiahrt: “Today marks the 341st day that Martin and Gracia Burnham have been held captive by Muslim terrorists in the Philippines.…”

“Today marks the 341st day that Martin and Gracia Burnham have been held captive by Muslim terrorists in the Philippines. Unfortunately, I have disturbing news to report today. According to a report in the Associated Press, the Abu Sayyaf group that is holding the Burnhams hostage is no longer interested in negotiations and has threatened to kill Martin and Gracia. "The door is closed for negotiations. It is up to them if they want to look for the dead bodies," terrorist leader Abu Sabaya chillingly stated in a radio interview. Apparently now the ASG is more interested in embarrassing the Philippine and American governments and military than their own supposed political demands. The Abu Sayyaf will not succeed in embarrassing us, for we will not back down in the face of terrorism. President Bush has committed our resources to rooting out the terrorism around the world. The Philippine government has been working with us to combat terrorism in their own nation. I am confident that we will eliminate the Abu Sayyaf and other evil organizations, and I pray that the Burnham family will soon be reunited. At this crucial time, I ask my colleagues to join me in prayer for Martin and Gracia and their loved ones that this nightmare may soon be over.”