Australia denies hostage rescue in Iraq was a set-up

[maddezmom]

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia's defence minister denied a newspaper report that hostage Donald Wood's dramatic rescue from militants in Baghdad this month was stage-managed.

The Sunday Age newspaper reported that Australian negotiators had reached an agreement with Wood's captors for his release 10 days before his rescue on June 15. But it said they scrapped it after deciding that paying a 100,000 US dollar ransom would set a bad precedent.

Wood, 63, a US-based engineering contractor, was released by Iraqi forces in a suburb of Baghdad after 47 days in captivity. Prime Minister John Howard has said the operation showed the success of the US-led and Australian-supported campaign in the country to train local forces.

The circumstances of the release remain unclear.

Australian foreign affairs officials say the Iraqi troops were acting on intelligence about possible insurgent activity in the area of Baghdad where Wood was found, while the US military he was discovered by chance during a routine search.

more: http://asia.news.yahoo.com/050626/afp/050626134500int.html

[dArKeR]

1. That's amazing! That's the first thing I posted on the DU when it broke!

[Igel]

2. So far all the reports seem to go back to

an Egyptian-born conservative imam, who has nothing to lose, and much to gain, from his claims.

He might be telling the truth. He easily might not be.