The NEFA Foundation has obtained and translated an April 7, 2008 communiqué issued by "the Al-Qaida Network in the Islamic Maghreb" (formerly known as the Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat, GSPC) complaining that “for the third time, the deadline of the ultimatum given to Austria by the mujahideen over its civilian hostages has expired, but Austria continues to act recklessly with a total lack of respect for the lives of its kidnapped civilians.”

The NEFA Foundation has obtained and translated a March 10, 2008 communiqué issued by "the Al-Qaida Network in the Islamic Maghreb" (formerly known as the Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat, GSPC) claiming credit for the alleged kidnapping of two Austrian tourists in Tunisia. According to the statement, "We direct a message to the Western tourists who flow in waves to the country of Tunisia, seeking to enjoy themselves while our brothers in Gaza are simultaneously being slaughtered by the Jews with help from the Western world... The hands of the mujahideen can reach you wherever you are in the country of Tunisia, so study this lesson carefully."

AQIM Issues Terms for the Release of Two Austrian Tourists in Tunisia
The NEFA Foundation has obtained and translated a March 13, 2008 communiqué issued by "the Al-Qaida Network in the Islamic Maghreb" (formerly known as the Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat, GSPC) establishing terms for the release of two Austrian tourists in Tunisia. The communiqué, which also includes pictures of the hostages inside and outside Tunisian terroritory, states, "We are announcing in this declaration the terms of the mujahideen to the Austrian government for freeing the Austrian tourists ‘Wolfgang Ebner’ and ‘Andrea Kloiber.’ The mujahideen demand the release of some of our prisoners who were captured in Tunis and Algeria in return for freeing the two hostages."

AQIM Offers Deadline Extension on Austrian Hostages
The NEFA Foundation has obtained and translated a March 17, 2008 communiqué issued by "the Al-Qaida Network in the Islamic Maghreb" (formerly known as the Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat, GSPC) granting Austria an extension to respond to their conditions for the release of two Austrian hostages. The statement declares, "Following the expiration of the three-day period given to the state of Austria to resolve the issue of the two kidnapped tourists--and after we accepted the request of the negotiating delegation--we wish to inform the public that the mujahideen have decided to grant Austria an additional week-long extension, starting last night at midnight. This is the final chance offered by the mujahideen (to the Austrians) to keep a clean conscience in dealing with the two families of the kidnapped persons and the Austrian people."