Deep roots of Iraqi kidnap horror

WE can only hope that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s latest mercy plea for Irish-born kidnapped aid worker Margaret Hassan is more successful, and brings more influence to bear, than was regrettably the case with his intercession for former hostage Kenneth Bigley.

The fact that Mr Ahern hadn’t listened to the voice of the Irish people at the outset of the conflict when US war planes on their way to Iraq were being refuelled at Shannon, hasn’t helped matters.

Those fearless fanatics and Saddam loyalists could easily misread his actions at that time as an effort to conspire with Bush in attacking their country. In the circumstances, a silent plea and a prayer rather than a public expression of anxiety might be the most prudent approach.