Iraq hostage crisis - No pleas can move these evil fanatics

THE appalling plight of British hostage Kenneth Bigley has touched the hearts of people everywhere but the stark reality is that British Prime Minister Tony Blair was right not to intervene in this gruesome situation.

There can be no question of negotiating with the militant terrorists who had already murdered his two American colleagues in a savage and brutal way. Obviously, any concession would lead to even more abductions and further killings in this barbarous scenario.

Realistically, despite the heart-rending appeal of the Bigley family to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to do anything appropriate that might help the hostage, whose 86-year-old mother is Irish, there seems little the Government could achieve.

Perversely, the militants have turned the hostage situation into a powerful public relations weapon, driving a wedge between Iraqis and Americans while capturing TV screens and banner headlines around the world.

On Thursday, the Iraqi government insisted it would not release two female weapons scientists being held by the US despite statements by ministers on Wednesday that it would. But the promise was abandoned at the behest of the Americans who ruled out any release, saying it would not give in to the kidnappers.

Despite Iraqi denials that they are bowing to US pressure, this twist in the hostage saga raises questions about their ability to conduct their own internal affairs without interference.

Not surprisingly, having seen a “shadow of light”, the Bigley family accused US President George Bush of sabotaging the release of the two women. However, even if they had been released, it was unlikely to sway fanatics demanding the release of hundreds of Iraqi women they claim are being detained.

Given the persistent denials by the authorities, who insist only a few women are in custody, there is a strong case for an independent group to inspect the prisons to establish the truth.

Otherwise, the Tawhid and Jihad militant group linked to al-Qaida will continue to use this ploy. But you can be sure they will find some other pretext to justify their campaign of murder and intimidation.

Despite the capture of Saddam Hussein and most of his henchmen, the situation on the ground gets more unstable by the day. Having won the war, the US and British forces are losing the peace.

It is clear that outside the relative safety of their barracks, the alliance forces are under constant attack from shadowy forces able to strike at them with ease. Losing the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, their ability to gather intelligence is deteriorating.

Interwoven with the personal tragedies of hostages like Kenneth Bigley, scores of Iraqi citizens are being killed by militants.

Who could not be moved by the sobbing image of 62-year-old Kenneth Bigley in a video appeal to British Prime Minister Tony Blair to help save his life? Who could not be moved by his wife’s tearful plea for his life?

As the anxious wait continued last night, people around the globe joined the Bigley family in silent prayer for his release. But it is doubtful if their prayers will be heeded by evil men hell-bent on destabilising what remains of Iraq’s fragmented and war-turn society by waging a grisly campaign of hostage-taking and murder that is rapidly turning Iraq into another Lebanon.