*EPF303 06/16/2004
White House Report, June 16: Saudi Arabia
(Bush watching situation with U.S. hostage in Saudi Arabia) (170)

CONCERN VOICED OVER U.S. HOSTAGE IN SAUDI ARABIA

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters June 16 that President Bush is closely watching the situation involving an American hostage in Saudi Arabia and that U.S. officials have been in touch with the man's family.

"Any time there is an American citizen involved in a situation like this it's a high priority for the administration," McClellan said.

According to news reports, an al Qaeda video released late June 15 showed the U.S. hostage, Paul Marshall Johnson, who went missing in Riyadh June 12 and whom the group threatened to execute unless Saudi-held militants were freed within 72 hours.

"We are in close contact with Saudi officials and working closely with Saudi officials. We're in close contact with Mr. Johnson's family, as well. The president is being briefed and kept informed of the situation on a regular basis," said McClellan.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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