Nelson Claims Search for Speicher Continuing

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- There are at least eight avenues to explore in the stepped-up search for information for missing Gulf War Navy pilot Scott Speicher, Sen. Bill Nelson said Tuesday.

Speicher, a former resident of Jacksonville suburb Orange Park, has been missing since January 1991, when his FA-18 Hornet was shot down on the first night of the Gulf War. Speicher may have ejected and may have been captured by Iraqi forces. His status is currently listed as "missing in action/captured" by the Navy.

Nelson learned of the developments in letters he received last week from Gen. George W. Casey, the Army's top general in Iraq, and a U.S. Embassy official in Baghdad, according to a release from Nelson's office.

Details of what the military officials call the "eight unanswered questions" surrounding the Speicher case remain highly classified, Nelson said.

The search for Speicher recently led investigators to excavate a potential grave site in Baghdad on Sept. 19, but searchers found nothing linking the site to Speicher's disappearance.

"... I assure you that we will continue to develop and pursue every lead regarding Capt. Speicher," Casey's letter said.

David Satterfield, an embassy official, wrote that finding Speicher is a top priority.

Nelson said the letters indicate the military is continuing to aggressively pursue all leads in the case and it appears to be taking the search seriously.

"I'm going to make sure the search continues to receive attention from the military and the U.S. government until the Speicher family has some answers," Nelson said.

Cindy Laquidara, a spokeswoman for Speicher's family, did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment on Nelson's news release.

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