‘Give Us Proof,’ Wife of Col. Higgins Tells Captors

WASHINGTON — Robin Higgins called on her husband’s captors today to “give us proof” of whether he is dead or alive.

Robin Higgins, out of the public eye at the Pentagon, repeated through a spokeswoman that she had viewed the videotape of the purported execution of her husband, Lt. Col. William R. Higgins.

However, she said, “It is impossible to make a definite determination on whether my husband is dead or alive.”

However, several Pentagon officials interviewed privately said they are acting on the assumption that the tape did show Higgins.

“Quite a few of us believe he’s gone,” said one official, who spoke on condition he not be identified by name.

The official said Robin Higgins has been “holding up well. She’s a very strong person.”

Pentagon spokeswoman Army Maj. Kathy Wood relayed the comments from Robin Higgins.

“I want my husband returned home,” Robin Higgins was quoted as saying.

She also called on his captors to “give us proof of his condition,” Wood said.