AUSSIE IRAQI HOSTAGE

By now you would have seen the disturbing video on TV of a dishevelled and understandably distraught Australian hostage in Iraq. Begging for his life under the threat of a gun.

Douglas Wood said: “President Bush, Prime Minister Howard, Governor Schwarzenegger (Wood lives in California with an American wife) family, friends please help take the American troops, the Australian troops, the British troops out of here and let Iraq look after itself”.

And then, the obvious plea: “Please help me. I don’t want to die”.

I’m sure he doesn’t. This may sound callous but does he really believe that one man’s plight can instantly change the foreign policy of three countries? Four, if you include Iraq.

Wood also says that “my captives are fiercely patriotic. They believe in a strong, united Iraq looking after its own destiny”.

Yeah. Sure. Like it did under Saddam Hussein. And we aren’t even sure if his kidnappers are Iraqi or foreign zealots. Those quotes were obviously scripted.

There are several other issues here. Douglas Wood, an engineer, was more than happy to have the American and British and Australian troops in Iraq while – as a commercial mercenary – he made truckloads of money to support his lifestyle in California. He didn’t plead for the troops to leave then. Didn’t mind them being there protecting his arse.

In fact Wood gave an interview during the deadly battle for Fallujah when some of those troops died. And he described the sound of bombs as “background music”. Bombs kill people. Where was his compassion then?

Wood said “I don’t feel afraid for my life here”. He does now. But what arrogance, desperate as he is, to demand that the people protecting Iraqis from insurgents (like the ones who kidnapped him) should leave the country.

Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says: “We will not be changing any policies and we will not be paying any ransom”.

And Prime Minister Howard said: “We can’t have the foreign policy of this country dictated by terrorists. But, we have to do everything we can to assist this poor man.”

They are both right .I am not such a heartless bastard that I don’t feel for Douglas Wood and his family. But he knew the risks he was taking. For money.

Tuesday, May 3, 2005

©Copyright Derryn Hinch 2005