Two US soldiers, several civilians missing in Iraq: Pentagon

abc.net.au ^

[Destro]

Last Update: Saturday, April 10, 2004. 12:00pm (AEST)

Two US soldiers, several civilians missing in Iraq: Pentagon

The Pentagon has confirmed that two US soldiers and several US civilians are missing following an attack by Iraqi insurgents on a fuel convoy west of Baghdad, as the fierce fighting in south and central Iraq continues.

Defence officials say it is not immediately known if the missing Americans have been captured.

ABC foreign editor Peter Cave was on the scene shortly after the attack on the convoy, where he saw several fuel trucks in flames.

A group of masked gunmen pulled up in a car and briefly showed him an injured American contractor they had taken hostage.

The abductions come on top of the kidnapping of three Japanese, a Canadian, an Arab Israeli and a British national.

There are threats to burn the Japanese hostages alive unless Japan pulls its troops out of Iraq by tomorrow evening.

Intense fighting

Intense fighting in towns in south and central Iraq has gone on for several days, since the US bombed the outskirts of Fallujah, following the death of four civilian security agents.

The insurgence has been rallied by the radical Baghdad-based cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has admitted that coalition forces are facing far stronger opposition than he expected.

"What we've seen over the last few days is stronger than anything we have seen previously," Mr Powell said.

"I must say it was more than I'd expected to see at this time.

"But nevertheless, I think our commanders have a handle on it, they understand it and they're going to be able to deal with it."

Council angered

Meanwhile, there is evidence of growing opposition to the US tactics in Iraq within the Iraqi Governing Council.

Two members of the council have resigned.

Deputy Foreign Minister Hamid al Bayati says the closing of Moqtada al-Sadr's newspaper and the arrest of his closest aide on a year-old murder charge, has merely fuelled his support.

"It could have been done in a better way and the crisis could have been defused," Mr Bayati said.

"Everybody's asking this question: why now?

"The crime took place a year ago."

[nuconvert]

Keep going back and forth on this story. Just heard on FOX maybe 1/2 hour ago that Pentagon wasn't confirming this yet. Suppose they'll announce tomorrow. Doesn't sound good though.

[Destro]

Fox just confirmed it.

[nuconvert]

Oh.....sorry to hear that.

[Destro]

So am I.

[Poundstone]

This is real bad. We'll probably see video soon of the captured Americans.

If they actually are prisoners, I assume they'll be killed in some particularly gruesome way. Just hope that when it happens, it will further fuel a sense of determination in the U.S.

[Keith in Iowa]

>>>...it will further fuel a sense of determination in the U.S.

Everbody but J.F'in Kerry & the rest of his ilk...

[goodnesswins]

Yeah...the Japanese have more B*lls than the Dems. They'll be telling us how we must give the kidnappers what they want....I am sooooo sick of their fricken wussiness.

[Indie]

Just hope that when it happens, it will further fuel a sense of determination in the U.S.

It just might be the straw that breaks the islamonazis back here in the US>

[Indie]

EfnK can GTH.

[msdrby]

ping

[illumini]

"This is real bad. We'll probably see video soon of the captured Americans. If they actually are prisoners, I assume they'll be killed in some particularly gruesome way. Just hope that when it happens, it will further fuel a sense of determination in the U.S."

You will not see half what we will see on our Russian T.V. Serivce through Dish Network. You won't want to. Three years ago (while on business in Moscow)I saw unedited footage of Chechens cutting the throats of young Russian soldiers. One was made to look directly at the camera while the Saudi-funded (no doubt) Chechen cut him from ear to ear. It would galvanize all of the political spectrum in America - on both sides of the issues.

[Spruce]

Give them hell! Make them pay USMC!

[dandelion]

I lift them up to God - I have to. It is all that I can do, so I must do it. Father, let them know we are praying for them. Let them know You are with them.

You are God - let there be justice. In Jesus name, save them...

You said I should come to You, believing. I come now - I wait to see what You will do. I have seen You work...

[Spruce]

...This is real bad...You will not see half what we will see on our Russian T.V. ...
Bullshit.

Do you think we are a flock of sheep? Try to wrap your mind around what the US is doing to our enemies right now.

[MississippiMan]

This crap, starting up a full year later, is a direct result of our determination to fight "nice" wars in which we're so determined to hurt certain of the bad guys and no one else. The Surgical Strike Doctrine.

There is no fear of us within the population. Fear is what makes countries that have acted badly, stop acting badly. They don't want a repeat. We've removed that element from war. Now the population either takes part in or allows whatever strikes them at the moment.

MM

[jaykay]

I hate to think this, but hopefully they died in the attack and they are missing because the bodies burned. From the flaming wreckage on the news, this could well be the case. If they were captured, their fate will be horrible, as you said.

[blackbart.223]

"There is no fear of us within the population. Fear is what makes countries that have acted badly, stop acting badly. They don't want a repeat. We've removed that element from war. Now the population either takes part in or allows whatever strikes them at the moment."

If people taken hostage are tortured or murdered the gloves have to come off.

[Cate]

Lets see if the follow the Geneva Convention for prisoners of war. Oh wait, only the USA follows the rules. My bad...

[adam_az]

"If people taken hostage are tortured or murdered the gloves have to come off."

I dunno about that. We've suffered much at their hands, and still have wimpy rules of engagement. 450 dead bad guys isn't enough, with 45 of our own dead. We need more badguys dead, and fast.