Lebanon firm ends Iraq work to save worker

United Press International
Sept 13 2005

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Sept. 13 — A Lebanese company announced Tuesday that
it ceased operations in Iraq in response to demands by the kidnappers
of one of its employees.

Geo-Trading, which the kidnappers accused of exporting spirits and
alcoholic beverages to Iraq, said in a statement that it was operating
in Iraq according to local laws and never violated any legislation.

The company’s employee, Garabet Shirikjian, a Lebanese-Armenian,
was kidnapped in Baghdad three weeks ago. He appeared on a videotaped
broadcast on television two days ago begging his company to save his
life by stopping operations in Iraq.

The statement said the company closed all its offices in Iraq,
dismissed its employees and decided not to operate in Iraq in order
to save its employee.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress