European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - May 16, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                International child custody disputes by Sand Johnson associated press Atricia Rush s two daughters Are in saudi Arabia Harold Johnstad s son is in Norway. They Aren t on vacation they were spirited away by a Paren who did have custody. Tie stale department knows of More than 2,300 american children abducted to lot countries in what have become bitter International child custody disputes. But the government says it can do while to help a frustrating stand for the Parent left behind my government will not help  Rush told a news conference recently Wotal am i supposed to to forgot my children they Are my Trie and my soul 1 cannot live without  she pleaded with the . Government to help gain the return of her two daughters 8-year-old Alia and 4-year-old Alsha who were taken illegally to saudi Arabia by their father Nouh her voice breaking said she married khad Ai Ghe Shayan. A saudi arabian citizen in 1978. She said Ghe Shayan left the family in 1982 arid resumed o his native and. After an unsuccessful attempt at reconciliation in i985, Roush of Cicero. In. Filed for divorce and was granted Sola custody other daughters dec. 26,1985. Goes mayan returned to the United Stales and following what Roush called persistent harassment was Given limited visitation rights. On Jan. 25.1986, the girls went to stay overnight with their father but instead were flown Oul of the United states Roush said. I be asked he state department to help me several times and have gotten the same answer there s nothing we can do. It s out of our jurisdiction " she said. Dona Sherman a press officer for the Bureau of consular affairs said the government can do Little the authority of the stale department is limited o determining the welfare and whereabouts of the child who has been taken attempting to visit the child and reporting to he stateside Parent of the condition of the child she said. 1 we cannot 90 and tacs custody of Tho child when we Are in the jurisdiction of another country she added. Sen. Alan Dixon , said the . Government should use its influence Short of going to War cutting of foreign Aid to pressure foreign nations to Send Back abducted children he released a list of 2,300 Active cases of a Phoi. The state department knows of More than 1,3