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Iraq coalition vows no more kidnap concessions
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-08-05 08:48 The U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq vowed not
to make any more concessions to kidnappers after the Philippines withdrew its
troops to release a hostage, the United States said on Wednesday.
In an effort to present a united front against a wave of kidnappings, the
United States issued a policy statement that it said was supported by the
coalition hoping to send a message to hostage-takers they would not win their
demands.
"We understand that conceding to terrorists will only endanger all members of
the multinational force, as well as other countries who are contributing to
Iraqi reconstruction and humanitarian assistance," the statement said.
The United States has faced an erosion in its coalition this year and
insurgents have tested the will of governments to keep troops in Iraq by
targeting their citizens with kidnappings and beheadings.
On Wednesday, a released captive said Iraqi gunmen had freed four Jordanian
hostages in a raid and Al Jazeera television said two Turkish drivers because
their firm agreed to stop working in Iraq.
Kidnappers won the Philippines withdrawal of its roughly 50 troops last month
and have forced some foreign companies out.
The statement "is one of the ways we can discourage the practice, by making
it clear to the people who are taking hostages that they are not going to gain
anything by doing so," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told
reporters.
But the message to kidnappers may be muted because the coalition did not
issue a joint statement or seek high-profile media attention. Boucher announced
the policy at a regular daily news briefing and said other countries would
express similar sentiments.
Italy has been threatened by a military group claiming links to al Qaeda that
has demanded Rome withdraw troops from Iraq by Aug. 15 or face attacks. Italy
has around 2,700 troops in Iraq.
"The situation was, is, and will remain very serious," a security source said
in Rome following a high-level meeting to review security.
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