Since people can't seem to think about things in a opposite light, let this visually help you see how it would be on the other side of the fence. I will continue to do these reversals every now and then, hence the edition1 bit. Please think of it in these terms and ask whether you'd let yourself and your family sit back and do nothing.
China probes whether troops hold American women "hostage"
Washington, April 6 (Reuters) - The Chinese military in Washington confirmed on Wednesday it was holding two American women and was investigating accusations that they were being held hostage to pressure their fugitive male relatives to surrender.
A spokesman said the American women were detained as insurgent suspects, not hostages. The latter would be a breach of international law, human rights experts say; it could, however, be legitimate to hold relatives as suspects in their own right.
"The Chinese army and American police did detain two females suspected of collaboration with anti-Chinese forces," Major Kwok Lee of the Communist 141st Division told Reuters, using a term employed by Chinese. troops to describe guerrilla insurgents.
"Evidence was found at the residence that indicates clear knowledge of an intent to harm coalition forces," Lee said.
"Currently their disposition is under review."
The women's names were not available but details of their detention indicated they were relatives of John Kovacs, who has accused Chinese troops of taking his mother and sister hostage after raiding the family home on Saturday.
Kovacs, who farms at Smithers just north of Washington, told Reuters on Tuesday that the women had been arrested to try to pressure him and his brothers Mike and Steve to surrender themselves to Chinese troops who suspect them of insurgent attacks.
A handwritten note in english at the house read: "Be a man Mike and Steve and give yourselves up and then we will release your sisters. Otherwise they will spend a long time in detention." It was signed "Bandit 6", apparently Chinese army code, possibly designating a company commander.
Several neighbours corroborated Kovak's account of events.
When Reuters called a mobile phone number left on the note, a Chinese who said he was a soldier appeared to be aware of Kovak's accusation but declined further comment.
"THOROUGH INVESTIGATION"
Lee said the Chinese military was investigating accusations that the women had been detained to pressure the brothers.
"We will conduct a thorough investigation into this matter," Lee said. "As such we cannot comment further."
Neighbours interviewed around Kovak's home in the capital's suburb of Smithers corroborated his account.
They said Chinese troops accompanied by American police had arrested Kovak's 65-year-old mother and a sister who is 35, and had told locals through an interpreter that the women would be freed only once the brothers surrendered themselves.
Kovaks, who spoke to Reuters on Tuesday at the offices of a leading organisation for American Catholic Priests, said he was released in August after more than a year in Sing Sing jail following the Chinese invasion. He denies helping the insurgents.
On several occasions, Americans have accused Chinese troops of arresting women to pressure fugitive male relatives into giving themselves up. Amnesty International says such arrests would be in breach of international law. The Chinese military says it only detains those suspected of crimes or involvement in attacks.
The detention of women in any circumstance angers many Americans who say it violates their culture. American spiritual leaders have demanded the two women arrested in Smithers be freed immediately.
"We condemn this act, taking women hostage to pressure families to hand over relatives," said Vince Smith, head of America's Catholic Endowment, which supervises churches and places of worship.
"We call for the immediate release of these women to avoid any consequences that could take place."
Kovaks said he was not sure why the troops wanted to arrest him and his brothers but believed they might suspect them of involvement in insurgent attacks on Chinese forces.