Posted on 05/29/2007 5:20:13 AM PDT by leadpenny
Last Updated: Tuesday, 29 May 2007, 11:44 GMT 12:44 UK
Five Britons are reported to have been kidnapped from the Iraqi finance ministry in Baghdad. They included four bodyguards and a finance expert, earlier reported to be German.
"We are aware of reports that a group of Westerners have been kidnapped. We are urgently looking into them," the UK foreign office said.
The foreign office is set to hold an emergency meeting on the situation and is assembling a crisis team.
Baghdad was also wracked by a bus explosion which killed at least 22 people and injured about 55, and a car bomb which killed at least 15 people and hurt at least 36.
The US military also announced that two of its soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash on Monday in Diyala province.
There are conflicting reports about exactly how Tuesday's abduction took place and how many people are missing.
Some reports say the kidnappers were driving what appeared to be police vehicles and wearing police commando uniforms.
The missing security guards are all believed to have been working for the GardaWorld security agency. Their abducted client was thought to be advising the Iraqi finance ministry.
About 200 foreigners of many different nationalities have been kidnapped in Iraq over the past four years, though this is thought to be the first time an abduction has been staged at a government facility.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6703055.stm
Last Updated: Wednesday, 30 May 2007, 09:28 GMT 10:28 UK
Militia suspected on Iraq kidnap
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070530/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq
Iraqi-U.S. troops seek kidnapped Britons
By RAVI NESSMAN, Associated Press Writer
13 minutes ago
You and me both, FRiend. ;-)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6703055.stm
Last Updated: Wednesday, 30 May 2007, 13:02 GMT 14:02 UK
Houses raided after Iraq kidnap
who goes willingly with such a surprise visit by any Iraqis ?
Seems like they should have been challenged , fixed in place and QR forces called for to back up.
Any foreigners asked to go anywhere should have a team of gunship choppers overhead ,at the very least .
Well, hardly ever..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6705267.stm
Last Updated: Wednesday, 30 May 2007, 17:08 GMT 18:08 UK
Sadr aide denies Britons kidnap
Witnesses said police units sealed off the street outside the ministry
A top aide of radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr has said the Mehdi Army was not involved in the kidnapping of five Britons in Baghdad on Tuesday.
. . . .
Hard to disagree with your reasoning.It’s a rotten mess. If we leave like the Dems want or stay and muddle through, the same thing occurs - loss of American prestige and will to fight.
I hope they are found safe and sound ASAP. This is not the time to mock Britain, a great nation and a great ally.
I understand your anger at the idiotic comments earlier,but US forces ARE looking for him,with the SAS also doing so according to the press.
Stupid post.
Lets not play the ‘we’re not weak,but you are’ game shall we?...you really dont want me to bring up 1968 or 1979.Both of which make your point redundant.
Stupid post.
Lets not play the ‘we’re not weak,but you are’ game shall we?...you really dont want me to bring up 1968 or 1979.Both of which make your point redundant.
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I remember ‘68,,,Giap lost his army,,,Did I miss something else ??...
I was talking about the Pueblo(1968) and Tehran (1979).
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