SOS Madeleine McCann: parents threaten the Express newspaper group with legal action?

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

"McCann veulent des actions en justice pour renflouer les caisses du Fonds Madeleine"

"Les avocats du couple McCann ont entamé des contacts avec plusieurs médias britanniques les menacent des poursuites en justice pour leur couverture dans le cadre de disparition de leur fille Madeleine et de leur constitution comme arguidos par les autorités portugaises."

The McCanns want legal action to replenish the coffers of the Madeline Fund.

The lawyers for the McCann couple have initiated contacts with several British media, threatening them with legal action for their coverage in the case of the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine and their constitution as arguidos by the Portuguese authorities.

"Le groupe Express est, pour le moment, le principal visé par les McCann qui voudraient obtenir un règlement à l'amiable qui passerait pas le versement d’une compensation financière."

The Express group is, for the moment, the main target of the McCanns, who would like to obtain an amicable settlement, which would not rule out the payment of financial compensation.

"Récemment, le Daily Express, principal publication du groupe, a retiré de son site internet tous les articles publiés à propos de la disparition de Madeleine McCann. Le Groupe Express publie également le Sunday Express, le Daily Star et le Daily Star Sunday."

Recently, the Daily Express, the main publication of the group, has withdrawn from its internet site all published articles about the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. The Express Group also publishes the Sunday Express, the Daily Star and the Daily Star on Sunday.

"Clarence Mitchell, ancien journaliste du Daily Express et actuel responsable en relations publiques de Gerry et Kate McCann, s’est dit "extrêmement insatisfait de la couverture du Groupe Express," rajoutant qu’il s’agit "du plus mauvais parmi tous les tabloïds"

Clarence Mitchell, former journalist with the Daily Express and currently public relations spokesman for Gerry and Kate, said he was, "extremely dissatisfied with the Express Group's coverage," adding that this is, "the worst among the tabloids."

"En vertu de la loi britannique, les avocats de Kate et Gerry McCann ont une année, après la publication d'un article, pour décider s'ils souhaitent entamer des poursuites en justice contre son contenu."

Under British law, the lawyers for Kate and Gerry McCann have one year after the publication of an article to decide if they wish to initiate legal action against its contents.

"Clarence Mitchell à confirmé que l’argent récolté par une possible action en justice servirait à renflouer les caisses du Fonds Madeleine, pratiquement vides après la chute du nombre de donations."

Clarence Mitchell stated that the money raised by a possible legal action would serve to replenish the coffers of the Madeleine fund, virtually empty after the fall in the number of donations.

"Le Fonds Madeleine à été utilisé jusqu’à présent pour rembourser deux mensualités de l’emprunt que les McCann ont contracté pour l’achat de leur maison, pour financer les campagnes d’affiches et une partie des versements mensuels à l’agence de détectives Metodo 3."

The Madeleine Fund has been used, up to now, to make two monthly payments on the mortgage which the McCanns took out to buy their house, to fund the poster campaigns and a portion of the monthly payments to the detective agency Metodo 3.

Mari Luz: her father goes alone to identify her.

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

March 7th

"Cadavre de Mari Luz identifié officielment

"(Mise à jour - 22H30) Juan Jose Cortés, le père de Mari Luz, a identifié seule, peu avant les 22.00 heures le cadavre de sa fille. Il à constaté en déclarations à la police scientifique que le corps de sa fille, "avait très peu de cheveux, présente un coup sur la tête et n'a pas d'ongles".

José Saavedra, un ami personnel de la famille, à confirmé que la mère de Mari Luz, Irene Suárez, n'a pas osé entrer voir le cadavre et a du être assisté par un médecin sur place."

The body of Mari Luz is officially identified.

(Updated - 22.30) Juan Jose Corés, father of Mari Luz, was alone when he identified the body of his daughter, a little after 22.00. He noted in statements to the forensic police officers that the body of his daughter, " had very little hair, shows a blow to the head and has no nails."

Josè Saavedra, a personal friend of the family, stated that Mari Luz's mother, Irene Suarez, did not dare go in to see the body and she had to be helped by a doctor at the site.

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This is the item posted earlier.

"Cadavre de Mari Luz retrouvé à Huelva"

"(Mise à jour) Le cadavre retrouvé il y a quelques heures dans le fleuve est bien celui de Mari Luz, la fillette de cinq ans disparue le 13 janvier dernier dans la localité d’Huelva, a confirmé le représentant de la subdélégation du gouvernement espagnol."

(Updated) A representative of the subdelegation of the Spanish government has confirmed that the body found a few hours ago in the river is definitely that of Mari Luz, the little five year-old girl who disappeared on January 13th last in the locality of Huelva.

"Au même moment, Luis Molina, porte-parole des parents de la petite espagnole, confirme "qu’il y a 99% de probabilité" de qu’il s’agit effectivement du cadavre de Mari Luz, malgré le fait que les parents n’ont pas encore été autorisés à procéder à son identification"

At the same time, Luis Molina, spokesman for the parents of the little Spanish girl, stated that, "there is 99% probability," that it is indeed the body of Mari Luz, in spite of the fact that the parents have not yet been authorised to proceed with her identification.

"Une source de la police espagnole à confirmée que le corps, vêtu des mêmes vêtements que Mari Luz portait le jour de sa disparition, a été retrouvé dans un état avancé de décomposition présentant un important coup à la tête, sans être possible de déterminer, avant la conclusion de l’autopsie, quel serait la cause du décès"

A Spanish police source has confirmed that the body, dressed in the same clothes that Mari Luz was wearing on the day she disappeared, was found in a state of advanced decomposition, showing a significant blow to the head, without it being possible to determine what was the cause of death, before the result of the autopsy.

"La police maritime à été alerté, vers 18 heures, par l'équipage d'un navire marchant qui avait aperçu le cadavre flottant dans l'eau."

The maritime police was alerted, around 18.00, by the crew of a merchant navy ship, who had seen a corpse floating in the water.

"Après l’annonce du décès de Mari Luz, Pedro Rodriguez, le maire de la ville espagnole d’Huelva, a décrété trois jours de deuil officiel, qui seront accomplis à partir de demain. Il y aura également, demain, une concentration de cinq minutes de silence aux portes de l'Hôtel de ville et les drapeaux de tous les bâtiments officiels seront mis en berne en signe de deuil et de respect pour la famille."

After the announcement of the death of Mari Luz, Pedro Rodriguez, the mayor of the Spanish town of Huelva, decreed three days of official mourning, which will start after tomorrow. There will also be, tomorrow, a dedicated five minute silence at the doors of the town hall and the flags of every official building will hang at half-mast as a sign of mourning and respect for the family.

Mari Luz Cortès: a very sad ending to her story

Spanish television channels have confirmed that a body found in the sea near Huelva is that of Mari Luz, the five year-old girl who went missing in Huelva on January 13th. A dock worker found her body at just after 4pm today.

# Diario de Sevilla

The little girl was found wearing the same clothes as on the day she disappeared. It is being reported that her skull had been fractured, with what looked like a heavy blow.

"Typically Spanish" news

"She disappeared almost two months ago and her body was found on Friday
Five year old Mari Luz, missing from Huelva since she left her home in the El Torrejón area of the city on 13th January for a short trip to the local sweets kiosk, has been found dead.

El Mundo said her body was found on Friday evening in Huelva province in the Torrearenilla marshland, in a river close to the Cepsa refinery installations, by an employee of the petroleum company. It’s understood that Mari Luz’s body was found with the clothes she was wearing when she disappeared , and that her body was badly decomposed.

There was news just last week that the family of the five year old had received a ransom demand for two million euros, via an anonymous caller who demanded the money to release the child.
While it was thought to be a hoax, the family said they were prepared to negotiate in the case of serious calls. Mari Luz’s uncle, Diego Cortés, said at the time that the family would personally go to rescue his niece if necessary, but said they would only be able to raise around 300,000 €.

El Mundo said Mari Luz’s parents, Juan José Cortés and Irene Suárez, had arrived at the scene to identify their daughter’s body, and that Juan José López Garzón, the central government delegate for Andalucía, was also en route to the site where Mari Luz’s body was found."


What sad news for Mari Luz's family. How tragic to lose a child in this way. My thoughts are with the Cortès family at this time.

Enfants Kidnappés: The British police in Portugal

Enfants Kidnappés 7th March

"La police britannique au Portugal.

"Un inspecteur de la police britannique est allé, cette semaine, au Portugal afin de déterminer les modalités pour les nouveaux interrogatoires demandés dans les lettres rogatoires. Le "superintendant" Stuart Prior est venu au Portugal et est rentré aux Royaumes-Unis hier. La date précise à laquelle aura lieu les interrogatoires n'a pas encore été déterminée. C'est ainsi que l'on ne sait pas encore quand les détectives portugais pourront se rendre en Angleterre afin de participer aux interrogatoires."

A British police inspector went to Portugal this week in order to determine the methods for the new interrogations requested in the rogatory letters. Superintendent Stuart Prior came to Portugal and returned to the United Kingdom yesterday. The precise date when the interrogations will take place has not yet been determined. Thus, it is not known when the Portuguese detectives can go to England to take part in the interrogations.

"Metodo3 reste engagée.

"Selon la presse britannique, l'agence de détectives, Metodo3, reste "au service des parents". En effet et contre toute attente, les responsable du fonds pour trouver Madeleine ont voté le maintien de Metodo3 comme agence de détective et prolonge ainsi leur contrat."

Metodo3 contract extended

According to the British press, the detective agency Metodo3 remains, "in the service of the parents." In fact, the trustees of the Find Madeleine Fund voted to maintain Metodo3 as a detective agency and thus extend their contract.

SOS Maddie: Parents of Mari Luz are thankful for the help of the Portuguese authorities

SOS Madeleine McCann 6th March

"Parents de Mari Luz ont remercié l’aide des autorités portugaises"

"Les parents de Mari Luz, la petite espagnole disparue il y a 53 jours à Huelva (Espagne) ont été reçus ce matin par les autorités portugaises à Faro, à qui ils ont voulu remercier l’aide apporté dans les recherches de leur fille."

The parents of Mari Luz are thankful for the help of the Portuguese authorities.

The parents of Mari Luz, the little Spanish girl who disappeared 53 days ago in Huelva (Spain) were received this morning by the Portuguese authorities in Faro, whom they wanted to thank for the help given to them in the search for their daughter.

"Accompagnés par des représentants des autorités espagnoles, Juan José Cortés et Irena Suarez ont été reçus par le gouverneur civil et par le bourgmestre de la ville de Faro, capital de la région."

Accompanied by representatives of the Spanish authorities, Juan José Cortés and Irena Suarez were received by the Civil Governor and by the Mayor of the town of Faro, capital of the region.

"José Apolinário, bourgmestre de Faro, à confirmé que le municipe allait financer la version portugaise des affiches de recherche de Mari Luz, malgré le fait que les autorités espagnoles continuent à croire que l’enfant n’a pas été amené vers le Portugal."

José Apolinário, Mayor of Faro, confirmed that the municipality would finance the Portuguese version of the posters in the search for Mari Luz, in spite of the fact that the Spanish authorities continue to believe that the child has not been taken towards Portugal.

"Juan José Cortés, le père de Mari Luz, continue à rejeter des comparaisons entre la disparition de sa fille et celle de Madeleine McCann, refusant de croire que les mêmes raisons soient derrière les deux disparitions."

Juan José Cortés, father of Mari Luz, continues to reject comparisons between the disappearance of his daughter and that of Madeleine McCann, refusing to believe that the same reasons are behind the two disappearances.

"Sans argent mais prêts à "négocier"

"En déclarations aux journalistes qui ont accompagné leur visite au Portugal, les parents de Mari Luz ont confirmé avoir reçu, la semaine passé, un appel téléphonique exigent deux millions d'euros en échange de l'enfant."

Without money but ready to negotiate.

In statements to journalists who have accompanied their visit to Portugal, the parents of Mari Luz have confirmed having received a telephone call demanding two million Euros in exchange for the child.

"La police en Espagne à déterminé qu’il s’agissait d’une fausse piste mais la famille de Mari Luz, admettant qu’elle n’a pas les moyens financiers pour faire face à une véritable demande de cette ampleur, s’est dit prête à "négocier si cela signifie le retour de la fille."

Police in Spain determined that it was a false trail, but Mari Luz's family, admitting that they do not have the financial means to cope with a demand of this magnitude, expressed themselves ready to "negotiate if it means the return of the girl.

SOS Madeleine McCann on the Jet-Ski story

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

SOS Madeleine McCann blog says basically the same as Enfants Kidnappés about the new witness statements concerning Jet-ski man. The last paragraph is worth quoting.

"Source proche de l’enquête à confirmée que la Police judiciaire avait reçu cette information au mois de mai, via un membre du personnel de l’Océan Club, à qui le couple avait raconté toute l’histoire, mais que l’information n’avait aucune relation avec la disparition de Madeleine. "Cette information à été verifié et investigué", affirme la même source."

A source close to the enquiry has confirmed that the PJ had received this information in May, via a member of the Ocean Club's staff, to whom the couple had related the whole story, but that the information had no connection to Madeleine's disappearance. "That information was verified and investigated," stated the same source.

I wonder who is digging up all these old stories, which all seem to have been investigated and ruled out by the PJ.

Encore un nouveau témoignage: Another new witness statement

Enfants Kidnappés March 4th

"Visite des parents."

"Les parents de Madeleine, Kate et Gerry, ont visité une "association d'aide aux enfants disparus" de Richmond. Ils ont rencontré des représentants de East Sheen, oeuvre de charité dont l'objectif essentiel est: " les enfants disparus en Europe". Les parents se sont montrés très intéressés sur le rôle de la Fédération Européenne pour les Enfants Disparus et Sexuellement Exploités ainsi que sur leurs travaux. Kate et Gerry ont montré un intérêt particulier sur leur nouveau programme de recherche qui vise à combler les lacunes dans les informations actuellement disponible sur le nombre de personnes disparues, pourquoi elles disparaissent et l'impact sur ceux qui restent."

The Parents' visit

Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry, visited a Richmond based, "association to help missing children." They met with the East Sheen representative of the charity, whose essential objective is: "missing children in Europe." The parents showed great interest in the role of the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children as well as in their work. Kate and Gerry showed particular interest in their new research programme, which looks to fill the gaps in the information actually available on the number of missing people, why they disappear and the impact on those who are left behind.

"De nouveaux témoignages"

"Madeleine serait sortie en cachette du Portugal à l'aide d'un jet-ski affirme un couple britannique. Ils disent avoir vu un homme sur la plage de Praia Da Luz le lendemain matin de la disparition de Madeleine."

New witness statements

A British couple states that Madeleine was taken stealthily from Portugal with the aid of a jet-ski. They say that they saw a man on the beach at Praia Da Luz, the morning after Madeleine disappeared.

(This is interesting because the Daily Mail of the same date states, A British couple saw a package being bundled onto a jetski on a beach just six miles from where Madeleine McCann went missing.
So, according to this article, it wasn't the beach at Praia Da Luz, surely!)

"L'homme portait un "colis suspect" sur ces genoux alors qu'à l'aide d'un jet-ski il a rejoint un bateau amarré au large. Selon ces touristes, le colis "était assez gros pour contenir le corps de Madeleine". Le couple a fait une déclaration à la police portugaise et le couple a affirmé "croire fermement à ce qu'ils ont vu et être certain que cela pourrait être relié à l'affaire Madeleine". Il est toutefois intéressant de noter que c'est la première fois que la presse britannique, dont est issu cette information, fait état d'un témoignage ne parlant pas de Madeleine en vie accompagnée d'untel mais bien de son corps dans un paquet! Notons toutefois que la presse ne précise pas s'il s'agit d'un corps en vie ou non."

The man was carrying a, "suspect package," on his knees while using a jet-ski and he joined a boat moored offshore. According to these tourists, the package, "was big enough to contain Madeleine's body." The couple have made a statement to the police and they stated that they, "firmly believed in what they saw and are certain that this could be related to the Madeleine case." It is, however, interesting to note that this is the first time that the British press, in issuing this information, refers to a witness statement which does not speak of Madeleine alive, accompanied by somebody, but of her dead body in a package! It is noted, however, that the press is not precise about whether it is a living body or not.

"38.6% des portugais pensent que les parents sont coupables."

"Selon un sondage pour le Correio da Manha, 38,6 pour cent des portugais pensent que les parents de Madeleine ont fait disparaître le corps de la petite. Par contre, 30,7 % considèrent que les parents n'ont aucune responsabilité dans ce qui s'est passé et 30,7 % n'ont pas d'avis sur la question. Ce sondage, pas si anodin que ça, n'apporte pas de réels informations sur l'affaire ni de véritables avancées. Toutefois ils nous a parut opportun d'en parler. Dans une dépêche d'agence tombée à l'instant, le porte-parole des parents, Clarence Mitchell se dit satisfait des résultats du sondage du quotidien portugais."

According to a survey for Correio da Manhan, 38.6 per cent of Portuguese people think that Madeleine's parents concealed the little girl's body. On the other hand, 30.7% consider that the parents bear no responsibility for what happened and 30.7% have no opinion on the subject. This survey, though not insignificant, does not carry any actual information about the case nor any real progress. All the same, it seemed appropriate for us to mention it. In an immediate reply, Clarence Mitchell, the spokesman for the parents, said he was satisfied with the results of the Portuguese Daily's survey.

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As far as I can tell, Enfants Kidnappés is usually accurate about details in its reporting. So, it seems odd to me that the author is reporting that the man on the jet-ski was seen on the beach at Praia Da Luz and the UK press is reporting that he was on a beach six miles away. I'm sure the beach at Praia Da Luz isn't that long.

Another odd thing is Clarence Mitchell's being satisfied with the results of the survey. Basically, more than 50% of those who voiced an opinion think that Kate and Gerry McCann concealed the body of their daughter. I don't think that would be satisfying to me if I were one of those involved in this case, especially if I were an official suspect. However, since public opinion is not what matters if this case goes to court, the results will not affect the final outcome.

Inspectors from the PJ are expected to visit the UK very soon to question three of the friends who were on holiday with the McCanns in order to confirm their initial statements. There has been much speculation about what evidence the Portuguese police may or may not have, and we have the reported statement from Clarence that there is an innocent explanation for any evidence the PJ may or may not have. However, since evidence in this case is subject to Portuguese laws of secrecy, I guess we will have to wait and see.

We can only hope, for Madeleine's sake, that there will be a resolution to this case in the not too distant future and we will finally know what happened to her on the evening of May 3rd, 2007. I spent months, praying, in the fervent hope that Madeleine would be found alive and unharmed, but that hope has gradually faded and, like many others, I now believe that Madeleine probably died on or around May 3rd 2007. My hope is now that her body may be found and she can be laid to rest.

Witness in the McCann case becomes advisor in the House of Commons

"Témoin du cas McCann deviens conseillère de la Chambre des Communs"

SOS Madeleine McCann 2/03/08

Witness in the McCann case becomes advisor in the House of commons.

"Sheree Dodd, un des experts en communication que le Ministère des affaires étrangers – Foreign Office – avait envoyé au Portugal pour aider le couple McCann à gérer la campagne de médiatisation de la disparition de leur fille Madeleine, viens d’être engagée par le porte-parole de la Chambre des communs, Michael Martin, pour "améliorer" sa réputation et sa relation avec les médias. "

Sheree Dodd, one of the communications experts that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Foreign Office - had sent to Portugal to help the McCann couple manage their media campaign on the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine, has just been appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, to improve his reputation and his relations with the media.

"Ancienne journaliste du Daily Mirror, Sheree Dodd à travaillé comme responsable en communication pour différents services gouvernementaux du Royaume-Uni. Elle travaille régulièrement pour le bureau central d’information comme expert indépendant."

A former Daily Mirror journalist, Sheree Dodd has worked as communication spokesperson for various United Kingdom government services. She works regularly for the Central Information Bureau as an independent expert.

"Dans la disparition de Madeleine, et après neuf jours de travail à Praia da Luz, Sheree Dodd avait soulevé plusieurs questions jugés délicates par le Foreign Office, étant remplacé immédiatement par Clarence Mitchell."

After nine days of work in Praia da Luz on Madeleine's disappearance, Sheree Dodd having raised several issues judged to be sensitive by the Foreign Office, was immediately replaced by Clarence Mitchell.

"Le nom de Sheree Dodd fait partie d’une liste de témoins dans le procès Madeleine McCann."

The name Sheree Dodd is part of a list of witnesses in the Madeleine McCann trial.

(Editor's note: yes it does say trial.)

*******************************

I find that second to last sentence rather ambiguous. I'm trying to decide if the author means that after Sheree Dodd left PDL, she was immediately replaced by Clarence Mitchell and it was nothing to do with the sensitive issues raised or if Sheree was immediately replaced because she brought up those issues.

Une lettre anonyme indique où se trouve le corps de Yeremi

An anonymous letter indicates where the body of Yeremi is to be found.

Enfants Kidnappés 1/03/08

"Suite à une lettre anonyme reçue au siège de la Police Locale de Pájara, a incité un groupe d'agent de la Garde Civile à faire de nouvelles recherches du petit Yeremi Vargas. La lettre anonyme, accompagnée d'un croquis, indiquait l'endroit où pourrait se trouver les "restes" du petite Yeremi. Après quatre heures de recherches infructueuses, le dispositif a été suspendu suite à la tombée de la nuit, les recherches pourraient reprendre demain. Le lieu décrit par la lettre est une des plus importantes îles de la région avec 810 mètres de long. Il faut disposer d'un véhicule tout terrain pour y accéder et à mi parcours, vous êtes obligé de poursuivre à pied dans des terrains escarpés. Un cadavre a été retrouvé par accident à l'endroit. Celui d'un étranger, en état avancé de décomposition et sans signe apparent de violence."

Following an anonymous letter received at the headquarters of the Pajara local police, a group of agents of the Civil Guard was led to make fresh searches for the young boy Yeremi Vargas. The anonymous letter, accompanied by a sketch indicated the place where the remains of little Yeremi could be found. After four hours of fruitless searching, the mission was suspended at nightfall; the searches could continue tomorrow. The place described by the letter is 810 metres long and one of the most largest islands of the region. You need to use an all terrain vehicle for access here and half-way through, you have to progress on on foot in the hilly areas. A body was found by accident in the area. It was that of a foreigner, in an advanced state of decomposition and with no apparent signs of violence.

"Il est supposé que l'homme aura été victime d'un malaise cardiaque alors qu'il effectuait une randonnée, le lieu étant très prisé par les touristes amoureux de la nature sauvage et des longues promenades. L'initiative de la Garde Civile, qui était soutenue par les membres de la Police Locale, fait partie d'une dynamique établie par la cellule de recherche afin de renforcer les vérifications de toutes les pistes possibles par rapport à la disparition du petit afin de ne rien laisser au hasard. Dans ce même esprit, les membres de la Garde Civile et de la Protection Civile, avaient inspecté, dans les jours suivant la disparition, un nombre impressionnant de puits situés dans un rayon autour du domicile de Yeremi. Selon la police, la lettre anonyme reçue n'était pas manuscrite - on ignore si elle était écrite par ordinateur ou taper à la machine à écrire - et était accompagnée d'un plan où, à l'aide d'un cercle, était indiqué le lieu probable où le corps du petit se trouverait. La police n'exclut pas la possibilité qu'il puisse s'agir d'un canular de mauvais goût. Si tel devait-être le cas, une enquête serait ouverte afin d'identifier l'auteur de cette lettre dans le but de le mettre à disposition des autorités judiciaires."

It is thought that the man had been the victim of a heart attack while on a hike. The area is a favourite with tourists who love the unspoilt nature and long walks. The initiative of the Civil Guard, which was supported by members of the local police, is part of a process set up by the search group with the objective of verifying every possible avenue in the disappearance of the little boy and leaving nothing to chance. In the same spirit, members of the Civil Guard and Civil Defence, in the days following the disappearance, had inspected an impressive number of wells located within a radius around Yeremi's home. According to the police, the anonymous letter they received was not hand-written - it is not clear whether it was written on a computer or on a typewriter - and it was accompanied by a map, where a circle indicated the likely place where the body of the little boy would be found. The police are not excluding the possibility that it could be a hoax, in very bad taste. It that were the case, an enquiry would be opened with the objective of identifying the author of that letter with the objective of bringing them before the judicial authorities.

********************************

I have not, as yet, seen an update on this story today, but I will add it when I find that it is available. The Enfants Kidnappés article states that the search could resume today.

Gerry McCann, wtf are you talking about?

(Pictured right, Javian Matthews)

On day 302 since the disappearance of Madeleine, Gerry McCann makes an entry in his blog about a couple of charities involved with missing and abducted children. Gerry refers to the Missing People organisation with whose representative he says he had a meeting.

"Missing People were responsible for displaying Madeleine’s image on Marble arch, along with 2 other missing children last summer. It was heartening to hear today that one of those children was recovered as a direct result and the other has also been successfully returned to his family."

Here Gerry refers to the display of images of three children, projected onto Marble Arch in May 2007.

"Her picture featured on a huge projected poster along with two other missing children, Javian Matthews, 14, from London and Samantha Osborn, 15, from Buckinghamshire who both disappeared in April this year."

Sky News Friday June 1st 2007

Javian Matthews is reported as having been found, though I cannot find very much in the way of details about his return to his family. Ellee Seymour reports the good news about Javian on her blog. Scroll down to comments.

"Ellee says:

June 26th, 2007 at 5:21 pm

Excellent news, Javian has been found. I have had this email from Missing People:

I have just seen your latest missing case.
Javian Matthews was found on 25 May 2007.

Some websites have out of date information on them. We have noticed SKY news site has 5 cases that have now been found. http://news.sky.com/skynews/madeleine

Javian was found the day after his image was projected on Marble Arch and media coverage. I have no idea if there is a connection and if it helped reunite him with his family, I would assume it did."

Ellee Seymour June 26th 2007

So, let's return to what Gerry McCann has written in his blog.

"It was heartening to hear today that one of those children was recovered as a direct result and the other has also been successfully returned to his family."

One of those children was, "recovered," and the other was, "also," reunited with his family. My understanding of this is that the child referred to as, "recovered," was reunited with her family. I say, "her," because Gerry can only be referring to Samantha Osborn, the other female child whose image was projected onto Marble Arch.

Gerry, are you implying that this information was given to you at your meeting with a representative of the Missing People organisation? The reason I ask this is that I am quite sure that that organisation is well aware of the situation regarding Samantha and I doubt they would say she had been, "recovered," and she has definitely not been reunited with her family.

Did they really say that about Samantha, Gerry? And just what do you understand by, "recovered."? Samantha disappeared aged 15 and it was thought she had left home to meet a man she had met on the internet. Her, "recovery," if such it was, took the form of Samantha's contacting the police soon after her 16th birthday and arranging to be interviewed at the home of David Manning, the man in his 20s, whom she met on the internet. She is still, to my knowledge, living with David Manning. A few months ago, a schools truancy officer paid her a visit as she is under school-leaving age and has not been attending any place of education.

Would you still say that Samantha had been, "recovered," Gerry? And do tell us; where on earth did you get that information from? I would be surprised if Missing People were to describe Samantha as having been, "recovered." Her whereabouts discovered maybe, but she has hardly been, "recovered." And I repeat, Gerry, she has not also been reunited with her family.

For more information click on the link in the menu on the right, "Samantha Osborn."

That doggie can sniff through concrete!

Eddie, that amazing doggie, trained by South Yorkshire police officer Martin Grime, has been helping the Jersey police with their investigations at the former children's home, "Haut de la Garenne." Here is some information from the BBC about Eddie, his training and his remarkable skills.

BBC 26/02/08

"A child's remains were discovered under several inches of concrete at a former children's home in Jersey after police bought in dogs to search the site. But how can they sniff through concrete?"

Eddie is described as, "an advanced human remains discovery dog," in the UK press and as a, "cadaver dog," in US parlance. By Philomena McCann, Eddie is referred to as, "Lassie," who would bark at anything! So, Philomena, now that Eddie has found human remains under several inches of concrete, do you really think he barks at anything or that he reacted to the scent of soiled nappies and rotting meat?

"Jersey Police said the seven-year-old dog located parts of a child's body even though they were buried under several inches of concrete. So how did he do it?"

"The specialist training techniques - which are highly confidential - were developed by Eddie's handler Martin Grime, along with the UK's National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) and America's Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)."

"We don't discuss what the training involves, but it's a lot more than putting bits of meat on the ground for them to hunt out," says Mr Grime, a retired South Yorkshire Police officer who now works as an independent consultant."

"A standard sniffer dog is like a basic tool. An enhanced dog goes through much more training and is a lot more discriminating about smells, basically its nose is super sensitive. It's also about getting the dog to really focus on a task."

"Other dogs have to do other police duties but mine work full-time in this area, making them very sharp and highly skilled."

The dogs have been used by police forces across the world and were called in to help with the Madeleine McCann investigation."

So, there we have it! Eddie has not been trained using bits of meat nor do I imagine is he fooled by bits of meat in the course of his work. He is specially trained to sniff out human remains and he has shown his effectiveness in Jersey by sniffing out the skeletal remains of a child, hidden, it is thought, since the 1980s.

Will this help Philomena to change her mind about, "Lassie."? Perhaps it will give more credence to the way that Eddie reacted to traces of bodily fluids alleged to have been found in the vehicle Kate and Gerry McCann rented 25 days after their daughter's disappearance.

Eddie's reactions are not thought to be solid evidence in themselves and the samples analysed by FSS are reported to be, "inconclusive," but there are probably a few people changing their minds about the reliability of Eddie and his friend Keela.

Enfants Kidnappés: Kate mcCann, Robert Murat and Madeleine in the same taxi?

Kate McCann, Robert Murat and Madeleine in the same taxi?

Ten months after the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, the taxi driver's story hit the international press. It has been reported widely in the UK press, but I don't think I have seen reports that the story had been investigated and rejected after verification. Here is an article from the Belgian site, Enfants Kidnappés, dated February 28th.

http://www.kidnapping.be/maddie/maddie.html

Pictured right: the taxi driver, Mr Castela

Ten months after the fact, a taxi driver from Vila Real de Santo Antonio, went public with his witness statement to the PJ. According to reports in the Portuguese press, the taxi driver made his statement to the PJ two days after Maddie's disappearance. "I don't have a lot to say, but what I have to say, I can state with certainty. On the 3rd of May at 8.10pm, the evening of Madeleine's disappearance, three men, a woman and a little girl entered my taxi. Sitting beside me was seated a man who resembled Robert Murat and whom I recognised later in the press. There was also a little girl in pink pyjamas with that distinctive mark in her eye and her mother, of that there is no doubt."

I noticed her because there was a nervous tic to her chin and my son had the same tic when he was small. I asked myself why they had not dressed the little girl instead of leaving her in pyjamas. She was awake but she was not talking. The other men were aged between 40 and 50 years. The mother, who looked amazingly like Kate McCann, was dressed in a yellow coat and had her hair in a pony tail. She asked me to drive them to the Apolo Hotel five kilometres from there in a village close to Faro. They asked me in English how much the fare would be and I told them just over three Euros. The man next to me, the one who resembled Robert Murat, gave me a 5 Euro note. They did not take themselves towards the hotel, but to a 4x4, a big dark coloured car, which looked to me like a BMW, with a foreign registration.

Mr Castela, the taxi driver, is used to remembering people's faces. He is 67 years old and has been doing his job for 17 years. Fixing faces in one's mind allows better identification of people. And if he is sure about the time in his story it is, he says, because, "I know they got into my taxi at that time because I usually watch the television news. I was thinking at that moment to return home. I took that fare and I returned home for 8.30pm where I could carry on watching the television news.

"He did not place any importance on his clients until two days later when the media took up the case, "Then I spoke to my son who is an officer with the GNR and he decided to put me in contact with the PJ. I told them exactly what I have just said and the inspector asked me if I knew if the hotel had surveillance cameras. I told him that in theory, yes. Out of curiosity, two days later, I returned to the hotel and asked them if the PJ had contacted them. They told me no. I tried to find out if they had surveillance cameras but they told me that they had been out of order for two years."

The PJ confirmed having been contacted by the taxi driver and his witness statement taken at the time. But these claims had been rejected after verification.

C’est officiel : lettres rogatoires acceptés: It's offical: rogatory letters accepted

"C’est officiel : lettres rogatoires acceptés"

It's offical: rogatory letters accepted

"Les inspecteurs de la Police judiciaire et ses homologues britanniques ont commencé aujourd’hui les premiers contacts officiels pour établir l’agenda des interrogatoires demandés par les autorités portugaises depuis plusieurs mois."

The PJ inspectors and their British counterparts today started the first official contacts to establish the agenda for the interrogations requested by the Portuguese authorities several months ago.

"Les lettres rogatoires, refusés dans un premier temps, ont du attendre l’accord du Ministère de l’Intérieur britannique, obtenu uniquement après d’innombrables interventions diplomatiques des autorités portugaises."

The rogatory letters, refused the first time, have had to wait for the agreement of the British Home Office minister, obtained only after innumerable interventions by the Portuguese authorities.

"Les lettres rogatoires vont permettre à la Police Judiciaire d'effectuer des nouveaux interrogatoires au couple McCann et ses amis, ainsi que d'appréhender l'original du journal intime de la mère de Madeleine."

The rogatory letters will allow the PJ to carry out new interrogations of the McCann couple and their friends, also to obtain the original of the personal diary of Madeleine's mother.

"En territoire britannique les inspecteurs de la police portugaise vont accompagner les interrogatoires et les diverses diligences demandés dans le cadre de l’enquête à la disparition de Madeleine McCann, ou ses parents sont toujours "arguidos."

On British territory the Portuguese police inspectors will be present at the interrogations and various other observations requested within the framework of the enquiry into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, in which her parents are still, "arguidos."

SOS Madeleine McCann 27/02/08

Eddie and Keela prove themselves in Jersey! Yaaaaaaayyyyy!!!

Pictured right; Eddie the Advanced Human Remains Recovery dog, trained by South Yorkshire Police.

I seem to recall that at the time when Eddie and Keela, those damned clever dogs, were reported to have alerted to a corpse scent and to minute traces of blood, that Philomena McCann was alleged to have made a remark about, "Lassie." Well, these dogs are definitely not actors and it seems that they can do exactly what they were trained to do; find bodies and blood!

Our Eddie seems to be the big star in Jersey, having led the police to human remains under several inches of concrete. So, does anyone believe that this clever doggie would be fooled by soiled nappies and rotting meat? I guess that is a question that the judges may be faced with if this case is taken to court with a charge, at least, of concealing a death; did Eddie alert to soiled nappies and rotting meat in the vehicle rented by Kate and Gerry McCann 25 days after Madeleine disappeared, or did he alert to the scent of human remains?

This report from SOS Madeleine McCann, 25th February, 2008.

"Chiens utilisés pour rechercher Madeleine prouvent leur efficacité"

"Eddie et Keela, les deux chiens pisteurs utilisés par la police britannique pour retrouver des traces de Madeleine McCann dans l’appartement et dans la voiture de location utilisé au Portugal par ses parents, font à nouveau parler d’eux, après avoir retrouvé des restes humains, présument d’une fillette, enterrés depuis les années 80 sous une dalle de 20 centimètres de béton dans un orphelinat à Haut de la Garenne, sur l’ile de Jersey."

The dogs used to search for Madeleine prove their effectiveness.

Eddie and Keela, the two tracker dogs used by the British police to find traces of Madeleine McCann in the apartment and in the rented car used in Portugal by her parents, are in the news again, after having found human remains, thought to be of a young girl, buried since the nineteen-eighties beneath a 20 cm thick concrete flagstone in an orphanage at Haut de la Garenne, on the island of Jersey.

"Les deux chiens ont prouvé, une fois encore, leur efficacité indiquant également plusieurs autres emplacements, à l’intérieur et à l’extérieur de l’orphelinat, ou la police s’attend à retrouver d’autres cadavres.

The two dogs have, once again, proved their effectiveness, indicating several other sites inside and outside the orphanage building, where the police expect to find other bodies.

"Eddie âgé de sept ans, est un chien spécialisé dans la recherche des victimes, détectant le sang humain enterré, les os et la chair. Sa compétence est si rare qu'il est assuré pour plus de cinq millions d’euros, avec une feuille de service qui l’a déjà amené à travailler aux Etats-Unis. Keela, a été entrainée pour dépister les restes de traces microscopiques de sang humain."

Seven year-old Eddie is a dog specialised in the search for victims, detecting buried human blood, bones and flesh. His skill is so rare that he is insured for more than five million Euros, with a service record which has already led him to work in the United States. Keela is trained to sniff out microscopic traces of human blood.

"La découverte du squelette a été faite dans le cadre d’une importante enquête après que plus d’une centaine d’anciens pensionnaires ont fait état d’abus sexuels dans l’orphelinat britannique. Plusieurs témoins ont confirmé à la police que la punition corporelle, la flagellation et l'emprisonnement solitaire en cellules étaient "routine".

The discovery of a skeleton was made during an important enquiry after which more than a hundred former residents made statements about sexual abuse at the British orphanage. Several witnesses confirmed to the police that corporal punishment, flogging and solitary imprisonment in small cells was, "routine."

"Maddie n’était pas à Stratton

La police à écarté ce matin la possibilité de que la fillette aperçue à Stratton par un retraité de 66 ans puisse être Madeleine McCann. Plusieurs médias outre-manche avaient rapporté hier qu’un enfant correspondant au signalement de la petite britannique avait visité la maison d’Alan Cameron, accompagné d’un couple prétendument portugais, qui était venu pour acheter quelques meubles de jardin."

Maddie is not in Stratton

The police, this morning, ruled out the possibility that the young girl, seen in Stratton by a 66 year-old pensioner, could be Madeleine McCann. Yesterday, several media sources on the other side of the channel had reported that a child who corresponded to the description of the little British girl, had visited Alan Cameron's house, accompanied accompanied by an allegedly Portuguese couple, who had come to buy some garden furniture.

"Le retraité affirme avoir vu une petite fille malheureuse et effrayée, "un visage que j'avais vu aux infos."

Un porte-parole de la police de Dorset à confirmé que rien ne permet de suggérer qu’il s’agissait de Maddie, soulignant, à titre de curiosité, que "le retraité n’étais pas capable de faire la différence entre le portugais, l’espagnol ou l’italien." Une position renforcée par une source de la police à Leicester pour qui le témoignage est considérée comme "non crédible"

The pensioner stated that he had seen a small, unhappy and frightened girl, "a face which I had seen in the press."

A spokesman for the Dorset police confirmed that there was nothing to suggest that it was Madeleine, noting incidentally, that, "the pensioner was not able to tell the difference between Portuguese, Spanish or Italian," a position reinforced by a Leicestershire police source for whom the witness statement is considered to be, "not credible."

"C’est la première fois, depuis la disparition de Maddie de l’appartement de vacances de ses parents, qu’un témoin prétend l’avoir aperçu au Royaume-Uni."

It is the first time since the disappearance of Maddie from her parents' holiday apartment, that a witness has claimed to have seen her in the United kingdom.

"Metodo 3, l’agence de détectives espagnole au service du couple McCann, avait précédemment fait connaître plusieurs signalements de Madeleine en Europe, au Maghreb et en Amérique du sud. C’est notamment l’ancien policier Antonio Jiménez, l’homme de confiance de l’agence de détectives espagnole, qui avait révélé les témoignages de Naoual Malhi et Isabel Gonzalez au Maroc.

Metodo 3, the Spanish detective agency hired by the McCann couple, had previously reported several sightings of Madeleine in Europe, in Maghreb and in South America. It is notably the former police officer Antonio Jiminez, the private investigator of the Spanish detective agency, who had revealed the witness statements of Naoual Malhi and Isabel Gonzales of Morocco.

"Responsable de l’équipe de Metodo 3 sur le terrain, Antonio J.R. est, depuis vendredi, le même jour ou le témoin de Stratton s’est fait connaître, en prison accusé de corruption, association de malfaiteurs et complicité dans le vol de 400 kilos de cocaïne."

Since Friday, the same day that the Stratton witness made himself known, Antonio J.R., the leader of the Metodo 3 team on the ground, has been in prison accused of corruption, criminal conspiracy and involvement in the theft of 400 kilos of cocaine.

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

Ce n’est pas Maddie mais les McCann veulent regarder "eux même": It's not Maddie but the McCanns want to see for themselves.

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

Ce n’est pas Maddie mais les McCann veulent regarder "eux même""Kate et Gerry McCann ont fait savoir, via leur porte-parole, qu’ils veulent regarder "eux-mêmes" les bandes vidéo de surveillance de l’aire de l’autoroute où une jeune hollandaise affirmait "être convaincue d’avoir vu Madeleine McCann."

It's not Maddie but the McCanns want to see, "for themselves."

Kate and Gerry mcCann have indicated via their spokesman, that they want to see, "for themselves," the surveillance video from the motorway service station where the young Dutch woman stated that, "she was convinced of having seen Madeleine McCann."

"L’analyse des bandes vidéo de surveillance de l’aire de l’autoroute, située sur l’A9 à proximité de Sète, avait permis à l'Institut de recherche criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale, à Rosny-sous-Bois, d’écarter le doute à propos de l’identité d’une petite fille aperçue dans le restaurant l’Arche."

Analysis of the surveillance video from the motorway service station, situated on the A9 near Sete, has allowed the Institute of Criminal Research of the National Gendarmerie at Rosny-sous-Bois, to dispel any doubt about the identity of the little girl seen in the L'Arche restaurant.

"Melissa Fiering, une étudiante en voyage entre Barcelone et Nijmegen, s’étais empressée de raconter à un journal régional hollandais qu’elle avait vu Madeleine "danser au son de la musique" d’un téléphone portable"

Melissa Fiering, a student traveling between Barcelona and Nijmegen, rushed to tell a Dutch newspaper that she had seen Madeleine, "dancing to the sound of music from a mobile phone."

"Depuis sa disparition le 3 mai 2007, plusieurs dizaines de personnes ont dit avoir aperçu Maddie à différents endroits du monde mais, à chaque fois, les pistes se sont avérées fausses."

Since her disappearance on May 3rd 2007, several dozen people have said that they saw Maddie in different places in the world, but each time the trails have proven to be false.

"Le Procureur de Montpellier, Jean Philippe à confirmée qu’une copie de la vidéo serait envoyé aux autorités britanniques à condition de recevoir une demande officielle dans ce sens, comme l’ont fait les inspecteurs de la Police judiciaire au Portugal."

The Montpellier Prosecutor, Jean Philippe, confirmed that a copy of the video would be sent to British authorities provided they receive a formal request to this effect, as did the inspectors of the Judicial Police in Portugal.

"Papa de Mari Luz au Portugal

"Juan José Cortés, le père de la petite Mari Luz disparue depuis le 13 janvier, a prévu de se déplacer au Portugal lundi prochain pour tenir une réunion avec le consul espagnol dans le pays, une visite que, comme il a dit, a pour but de solliciter une réunion avec les autorités portugaises."

Father of Mari Luz to Portugal

Juan Jose Cortes, father of the little girl Mari Luz, missing since January 13th, has planned to visit Portugal next Monday for a meeting with the Spanish Consul of the country, a visit which, as he says, is for the objective of seeking a meeting with the Portuguese authorities.

Gonçalo Amaral va être jugé: Goncalo Amaral will be tried.

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

22.02.2008

Gonçalo Amaral va être jugé

"Une affaire qui n’a rien en commun avec le cas Maddie"

"Gonçalo Amaral, l’ancien coordinateur des investigations à la disparition de Madeleine McCann, va être jugé par le Tribunal de Faro accusé de ne pas avoir dénoncé une prétendue agression à la mère de Joana Cipriano, la petite fille disparue le 12 septembre 2004."

Goncalo Amaral will be tried.

A case which has nothing in common with Maddie's case.

Goncalo Amaral, former coordinator of the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, will be judged by the Triabunal de Faro, accused of not having reported an alleged assault of the mother of Joana Cipriano, the little girl who disappeared on 12th September 2004.

"La juge d’instruction criminelle du Tribunal de Faro, Ana Lucia Cruz, à décidé d’avancer vers le jugement de cinq inspecteurs de la Police judiciaire, accusés par le Ministère Public dans le cadre d’une prétendue agression à Leonor Cipriano."

The sitting judge on criminal proceedings of the Tribunal de Faro, Ana Lucia Cruz, has decided to proceed towards the trial of five inspectors of the PJ, accused by the Public Ministry in connection with an alleged assault on Leonor Cipriano.

"Les inspecteurs Leonel Marques, Pereira Cristóvão e Paulo Bom sont accusées de torture. Le quatrième, António Cardoso, est accusé de falsification de documents car il aurait prétendument menti dans le rapport de ce qui serait arrivé à la mère de Joana."

The inspectors, Leonel Marques, Pereira Cristovao and Paulo Bom are accused of torture. The fourth, Antonio Cardoso ,is accused of falsification of documents because he is alleged to have lied in the report about what had happened to Joana's mother.

"Gonçalo Amaral, le seul inspecteur qui appartient au siège régional de l'Algarve, n’a jamais été accusé par la mère de Joana d’agression, comme l’ont prétendu plusieurs médias britanniques. L’inspecteur, est accusé de ne pas avoir dénoncé la prétendu agression mais son avocat, Maître Antonio Cabrita, considère que, malgré le fait que Gonçalo Amaral était le coordinateur de l’investigation, il n’a pas "l’obligation de tout savoir", soulignant que, dans ce cas, il fallait juger également le directeur national adjoint et le directeur national de la Police Judiciaire."

Goncalo Amaral, the only inspector from the regional headquarters of the Algarve, has never been accused by Joana's mother of assault, as has been alleged by several British media. The inspector is accused of not having reported the alleged assault, but his lawyer, Mr Antonio Cabrita, considers that, in spite of the fact that Goncalo Amaral was the coordinator of the investigation, he does not have, "the responsibility of knowing everything," stressing that, in this case, it would be necessary to also judge the deputy national director and the national director of the PJ.

"António Pragal Colaço, l’avocat des inspecteurs de la Police Judiciaire de Lisbonne accusées par le Ministère Publique d’avoir agressée Leonor Cipriano, avait annoncé, le 11 février, que ses clients allaient être jugés "pour une question politique".

Antonio Pragal Colaco, lawyer for the PJ's inspectors from Lisbon accused by the Public Ministry of having assaulted Leonor Cipriano, announced on February 11th, that his clients were going to be tried, "for a political issue."

"Si Leonor Cipriano, condamnée à 16 ans de prison pour l’assassinat de sa fille, prétend avoir été agressée et torturée par trois inspecteurs de Lisbonne, la Police Judiciaire a toujours affirmé que la maman de Joana a voulu se suicider en se jetant du haut des escaliers."

If Leonor Cipriano, sentenced to 16 years in prison for the murder of her daughter, alleges that she was assaulted and tortured by three Lisbon inspectors, the PJ has always stated that Joana's mother tried to commit suicide by throwing herself from the top of the stairs.

Parents de Mari Luz ont décidé de vendre leurs biens pour offrir recompense.: The parents of Mari Luz have decided to sell their property....

.....to offer a reward. I guess that's what most families in the Cortes' situation have to do if they want to be able to offer an attractive reward for the return of their child. In the absence of wealthy backers coming forward and newspapers offering large amounts as a reward, most parents of missing children would probably sell everything they had if they thought it would help.

Didn't I read very early on in the McCann case that Philomena McCann had said she would sell her house to help find Madeleine? I haven't seen a repeat of that offer, but have seen reports that the fund, which is paying Metodo 3 £50,000 a month, is likely to be exhausted in a few months time if the donations don't increase.

Well, McCann family, you know what to do. Sell a few of your assets, just as the Cortes family have decided to do. Gerry and Kate, you could downsize. Do you really need six bedrooms? Or Kate could get a job! Why not work a couple of days a week to help replenish the financial resources of that fund? You don't actually appear to have contributed very much of your own dosh there, do you? I read that a child sold her toys on e-bay to raise money for that limited company of yours and raised £80, which her mother increased to £100. And yet, Kate and Gerry, you don't seem to have put any of your own into that fund. Why is that?

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

Parents de Mari Luz ont décidé de vendre leurs biens pour offrir recompense.

Les parents de Mari Luz ont décidé d'élever le montant de la récompense de 150.000 euros, offerte en echange d’une piste que conduirait "directement" à la localisation de leur fille ou adressée au présumé kidnappeur pour sa libération, à 300.000 euros.

The parents of Mari Luz have decided to raise the amount of the reward of 150,000 Euros, offered in exchange for a trail that would lead, "directly," to the whereabouts of their daughter, or to the alleged kidnapper for her release, to 300,000 Euros.

“Les parents proches de Mari Luz ont décidé de vendre leurs biens dans le but d’avoir une piste que nous conduise à l’enfant ou à que celui qui la maintien captive la relâche," à expliqué Juan José Cortés, le père de la petite fille.

"The family close to Mari Luz have decided to sell their property in order to have a trail which will lead us to the child or to her release by those who are holding her,” explained Juan Jose Cortes, the father of the little girl.

Plus d’un mois après la disparition de Mari Luz, malgré une récompense initial de 150.000 euros, ses parents continuant sans recevoir la moindre information que puisse conduire à leur fille.

More than a month after the disappearance of Mari Luz, in spite of an initial reward of 150,000 Euros, her parents continue to have received no information which could lead them to their daughter.

Les parents de Mari Luz continuent à collaborer avec les autorités espagnoles dans la recherche de leur fille, poursuivent plusieurs pistes, notamment celle de l’enlèvement, corroboré par deux témoins qu’ont indiqué avoir vu Mari Luz être embarquée de force dans un véhicule sur le chemin de retour de sa maison.

The parents of Mari Luz continue to collaborate with the Spanish authorities in the hunt for their daughter, following several lines of enquiry, notably that of an abduction, corroborated by two witnesses who stated that they had seen Mari Luz being taken by force into a vehicle on her way back home.

C’est honteux que le père de Mari Luz vienne se plaindre," à réagi Clarence Mitchell, le responsable en relations publiques du couple McCann, en réponse à l’exigence de Juan José Cortés de que les affiches avec la photo de sa fille à coté de Madeleine ne soient pas distribués.

Clarence Mitchell’s outrage with the Cortes family

“It is shameful that Mari Luz’s father has brought himself to complain,” was the reaction of Clarence Mitchell, the public relations representative for the McCann couple, in response to the request from Juan Jose Cortes that the posters with the photo of his daughter beside Madeleine are not distributed.

Juan José, à propos de la campagne d’affiches annoncé par Clarence Mitchell, a confirmé hier que "personne nous a rien demandé," indiquant que la situation aurait été la même avec la famille de Yeremi Vargas. Les affiches – qui ne sont pas encore visibles en Espagne ou au Portugal - ont été imprimées par initiative des McCann.

Juan Jose, referring to the poster campaign announced by Clarence Mitchell, confirmed yesterday that, “ nobody asked us about anything,” stating that the situation would have been the same with the family of Yeremi Vargas. The posters – which are no longer visible in Spain or Portugal – were printed on the initiative of the McCanns.

Clairement gêné avec la conférence de presse du père de Mari Luz, Clarence Mitchell à expliqué aujourd’hui que les McCann "ont cru avoir l'autorisation" de la famille Cortés pour organiser la campagne utilisant la photo des enfants espagnols.

Clearly embarrassed by the press conference of the father of Mari Luz, Clarence Mitchell explained today that the McCanns, “ believed they had the authorisation,” of the Cortes family to organise the campaign using the photo of the Spanish children.

The family of Mari Luz threatens the McCanns with legal action

This is an addendum to the 15th February article about those posters, which appeared in Enfants Kidnappes.

“ATTENTION!!!!

Famille de Mari Luz menace les McCann d'une action en justice

N° de téléphone est hors service

La famille de Mari Luz Cortés, la petite espagnole disparue depuis le 13 janvier à Huelva, a demandé que les affiches ou sa photo figure cote-à-cote avec Madeleine McCann ne soient plus distribués et considère même la possibilité d'intenter une action en justice à l'encontre de Kate et Gerry McCann si leur exigence n'est pas respecté.

Juan José Cortés, père de Mari Luz, à affirmé que mélanger la disparition de Madeleine à celle de sa fille "n'est pas une stratégie opportune," réaffirmant qu'il n'a jamais donné son accord aux affiches crées par la famille McCann.

"Ce sont deux cas totalement différents avec des voies d'investigation complètement distinctes," à dit le père de Mari Luz à la sortie d'une rencontre avec le Président du Gouvernement Autonome d'Andalousie.

De la taille A3, les 18.000 affiches annoncés par le responsable en relations publics du couple McCann, Clarence Mitchell, pour un cout total de plus de 4.000 euros, indiquent un numéro de contact pour signaler des informations à propos de Mari Luz qui n'est pas en service.”

The family of Mari Luz threatens the McCanns with legal action.

Telephone number is not in service.

The family of Mari Luz Cortes, the little Spanish girl, missing since January 13^th in Huelva, has requested that the posters where her photo is shown side-by-side with Madeleine McCann are not distributed and is even considering the possibility of instigating legal action against Kate and Gerry McCann if their wish is not respected.

Juan Jose Cortes, father of Mari Luz, has stated that to mix the disappearance of Madeleine with that of his daughter, “is not an appropriate strategy,” reaffirming that he had never given his permission for the posters created by the McCann family.

“These are two totally different cases with completely distinct lines of investigation,” said Mari Luz’s father as he left a meeting with the President of the Autonomous Government of Andalusia.

The size A3 posters, presented by Clarence Mitchell, the public relations representative for the McCann couple, at a cost of over 4,ooo Euros, show a contact number for reporting information about Mari Luz which is not in service.

http://www.kidnapping.be/maddie/maddie.html

From the Daily Mail, Monday 18th February.

"McCann spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "We obviously regret if there is any confusion over these posters, however we did have the permission of the family to produce them following a conversation between them and a female friend of Kate's who speaks Spanish.

"Her father also said anything that can be done should be done. "The lady who spoke to him also tried to get hold of him after that to show him the artwork on the posters but he was in Madrid campaigning for his daughter."

Daily Mail 18/02/08

Not good enough Clarrie, is my opinion. You are supposed to be a professional PR person. That means you should know that you have a responsibility to make sure you have permission to use third party information. Saying that you thought you had permission, based on a conversation someone else reported to you, will not stand up in a court of law. And Clarrie, help that is neither requested nor wanted is not help at all. The family of a missing child has every right to decided where and when photos are used and distributed. To take that right from them and then claim that you were just trying to help is to attempt to disempower them. If anything here is shameful*, it is your behaviour and your pusillanimous attempts to wriggle out of the responsibility for your actions.

*Clarence is reported in the Portuguese press as saying that the reactions of the family of Mari Luz were, "surprising and shameful."