Much more to come in Iraq hostage crisis (100s of Pakistanis missing)

[Barrett808]

Much more to come in Iraq hostage crisis
By Syed Saleem Shahzad

KARACHI - The surge in hostage-taking in Iraq, with the most recent involving two Pakistani nationals, could be the prelude to many, as hundreds of foreigners are missing in the country, a number of whom are believed to have already been taken by the Iraqi resistance to be displayed later.

The capture of the two Pakistanis also serves as a warning that the citizens of Muslim countries will be targeted if they "collaborate" with the United States, even in the most tenuous way as civilian workers in the country.

...

Pakistan is considering sending about 1,000 troops under United Nations cover to guard UN premises all over Iraq. However, Islamabad has also been said to be considering dispatching up to 10,000 "non-combatant" troops for peacekeeping purposes.

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Speaking to Asia Times Online in a telephone interview, the head of IABWT, Ansar Burney, said he had recently visited Iraq and his investigations revealed that more than 400 Pakistani pilgrims and other visitors had reached Iraq via the Iran border without visas, and their whereabouts was not known.

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He said that of the hundreds of missing Pakistanis, there was a strong possibility that many had already been abducted and were being held in "private jails" to be used as bargaining chips for future demands. This could also be the case for other nationals, he said.

(more)

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FG29Ak02.html

[aquart]

1. Great security. They're just pulling them off the streets?

[Dover]

2. ,

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