Video of Kidnapped UK Reporter Surfaces

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Kidnapped British reporter Alan Johnston appeared Friday in a videotape posted on an Islamic militant Web site, saying his captors had treated him well, denouncing Israel and blasting Britain's Mideast policy. It was the first sign of life from him since he was abducted almost three months ago.

There was no way to tell when the video was recorded, and it was not clear why his captors chose this time to post it. The British Broadcasting Corp. journalist, who has been covering the Palestinian territories for three years, has a reputation for objectivity, and it seemed likely he was reciting what he was told to say.

The videotape appeared on the Al-Ekhlaas Web site, frequently used by Islamic militants. It bore the logo of the Army of Islam, the shadowy Palestinian group that had been believed to be holding the 45-year-old reporter.

Johnston looked fit and calm during the three minutes he spoke.

"My captors have treated me very well, they've fed me well, there has been no violence towards me at all and I am in good health," he said in his opening remarks _ then launched into a diatribe against Israel and British Mideast policy.

"In three years here in the Palestinian territories I witnessed the huge suffering of the Palestinian people, and my message is that the suffering is continuing and it is unacceptable," he said, blaming Israel.

He blamed Britain and the U.S. for causing suffering in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories, and for "occupying Muslim lands against the will of the people in those places."

Johnston skewered Britain for its role in Israel's creation on land the British once administered, calling Israel "the cause of all the suffering of the Palestinian people."

"We the British are completely to blame, along with the Americans, for the situation in Iraq," he added, while "the British are the main force in Aghanistan, causing all the trouble to all the simple Afghans who simply want to live."

He started giving a message to his family, but was cut off. Subtitles then appeared on the videotape, saying, "The BBC refused to take this message to his family."

Johnston was shown seated from the waist up, wearing what looked like a red sweatshirt, and speaking against a black backdrop.

Britain's Foreign Office said it was aware of media reports and investigating the claims. "We are urgently investigating these reports," said a spokesman, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.