Appeal made for Iraq hostages' release

An appeal was made overnight on Middle Eastern television for four hostages in Iraq -- including Auckland student Hameet Sooden -- to be released.

Mr Sooden, a 32-year-old Canadian citizen who studied at Auckland University, was kidnapped five weeks ago along with Canadian James Loney, 41, American Tom Fox, 54, and Norman Kember, 74, of Britain.

The quartet, members of Christian Peacemaker Teams promoting peace and an end to the United States presence in Iraq, were kidnapped by the Swords of Righteousness Brigade on November 26. The group threatened to kill the hostages if Iraqi prisoners were not released from American and Iraqi prisons by December 10. There has been no news from the kidnappers since then.

Donna Mulhearn, a close friend of Mr Sooden, recorded a video with Islamic Friendship Association of Australia head Keysar Trad, pleading for the men to be freed.

A video of a plea from Mr Kember's wife, Pat, was also broadcast on Al-Jazeera.

Ms Mulhearn was in Iraq in 2003 during United States bombings and she was held captive by insurgents in Fallujah last year.

She hoped the broadcast would convince the kidnappers the four were not spies and wanted to help the Iraqi people.

"It's directly aimed at the kidnappers," she told AAP.

"We've already won the hearts and minds of the people of Iraq -- they've gone out on the streets in vocal opposition to the kidnapping.

"This is about providing evidence to show that they're not spies. We need the kidnappers to see this to be convinced that these people are friends of Iraq, not enemies."

Mr Trad, who speaks in Arabic and English on the video, said taking friends of Iraq hostage was contrary to the tradition of Arab and Islamic chivalry.

"It strengthens the case of the enemies of the Iraqi people who are trying to maintain the occupation," he said in a joint statement with Ms Mulhearn.

"I appeal to those holding Harmeet, Jim, Tom and Norman to release them unharmed forthwith."

Mrs Kember pleaded for her 74-year-old husband's life and expressed concern he did not have necessary medication.

- NZPA