john solecki

Posts tagged "john solecki"

Hostage Situation Ends Positively (For Once)

Image via Yahoo News Canada

John Solecki, the CC and SIPA graduate who was kidnapped in Pakistan two months ago, has been released, according to CBS News.

Prior to his capture, Solecki worked as the head of the UN refugee office in Quetta, Pakistan; on the 2nd of February, 2009, members of the Baluchistan Liberation United Front (BLUF) kidnapped Solecki and killed his Pakistani driver. In exchange for his release, they demanded that the Pakistani government liberate over 1,000 pro-Baluchistan activists.

The circumstances under which the BLUF freed Solecki are still unclear, but CBS has a quote from an anonymous Western diplomat who says that the “‘release could not have been made possible without some trade-off. I am certain Solecki is a free man but in the process the Pakistanis must have released some people sought by nationalists from Baluchistan.’”

Tags: john solecki, pakistan, sipa, terrorism
4 April 2009 @ 1:49 PM · 8 comments

SIPA Grad Held Hostage in Pakistan

- Image via The Associated Press

A commenter alerted Bwog earlier tonight to the plight of UN official and CC and SIPA graduate John Solecki, who is being held hostage in Pakistan. Solecki, the head of U.N.’s refugee office in Quetta, Pakistan, was captured on February 2nd. On Monday, his captors said Solecki would be killed if their demands (which include the release of Pakistani political prisoners) are not met in four days. Solecki’s father, Ralph, is a professor emeritus at Columbia. While at Columbia as both an undergraduate and as a SIPA grad student, Solecki studied under Richard Bulliet, who wrote a touching column about him when he was first kidnapped.

In a ray of hope, an Iranian website quotes the Pakistani Interior Minister as saying that Pakistani security forces have discovered where Solecki is being held, and he will soon be released. Regardless, Bwog hopes for his safe return, and our thoughts are with his family.

Tags: alumni, john solecki, richard bulliet, sipa
3 March 2009 @ 11:52 PM · 5 comments

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Lost: Green Notebook (Feb 08 2012)
I’ve been missing a green notebook for my Evolutionary Basis of Human Behavior (EEEBW4010) class since Feb. 7th. It should have the name Kimberly Young written inside. It was last seen in the Schapiro computer lab. If found, please contact kty2102@columbia.edu
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The purse has large red circles on it, and contained an ID card, keys, wallet, pink headphones, Metrocard, and other important things. Last seen in Schermerhorn 614. If found, please contact rdc2125@barnard.edu
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Hi, I’m missing a black LL Bean Backpack, last seen in the lounge of Broadway 12 during the Super Bowl. It’s black, with the initials “BCB,” embossed in grey. It contains an Apple laptop and several important books. If found, contact bcb2131@columbia.edu.
Lost: Paul Smith Wallet (Feb 02 2012)
I lost a Paul Smith, multi-striped leather wallet (red, yellow, green, etc.) and it should have a insurance card and metro card among other things. Reward offered, wy2185@columbia.edu
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I lost a Lion Laundry bag full of gym items. Contact sac2171.
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Black puffy coat with two layers and Burberry plaid pattern on lining. Last seen at Lerner Party Space during Black Students Organization (BSO) party on January 20. Please contact jyc2130@columbia.edu if found. Reward offered.
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Yellowish ivory scarf with a lot of print on it. Most likely to be found at 504 Diana or LRC SIPA. If found then you shall be rewarded with my eternal gratitude. Contact: an2503@barnard.edu
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Last seen in the Hartley computer lab at around 9 am, on 1/30/12. No case; no password; background is a generic picture of a rower on a lake. About 2 years old and showing its wear. Contact: etp2109.
Lost: Burberry Scarf (Jan 28 2012)
Last seen at Il Cibreo on January 19 around 1am. It’s beige cashmere with unique colors which complete the original burberry pattern. If you took it by accident please contact aln2133@columbia.edu. If you took it because you like it, not cool.
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I lost my umbrella today in Schermerhorn 612. I had class until 12:15, went back tonight around 6 pm, and it was gone. It is Paris themed, so it has the eiffel tower, arc du trimpuh etc. Email lgg2110@barnard.edu.Thanks!
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