Iraq warning renewed as Kiwis queue to be bodyguards

4.00pm

The Government is firmly advising hundreds of would-be private bodyguards seeking jobs in Iraq not to go.

"It's as strong as it can get," Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman Brad Tattersfield said, referring to the ministry's emphatic travel advice on Iraq.

The travel advisory on the MFAT website reads: "We advise against all travel. New Zealanders should leave."

More than 600 New Zealanders have applied for jobs as bodyguards or other security-related positions through a Hamilton company, Red Key Security.

Mr Tattersfield said the Government's advice on travel to the Middle East hotspot had been the same for some years and could not be made any sterner, given the current wave of kidnappings and violence.

"People have got to make their own choices... But all I can do is reiterate our advice, and that is that people should not go there, the security situation is obviously very serious there," he told NZPA today.

Mr Tattersfield said the Government was unable to assist if New Zealanders ran into trouble in Iraq, as it could normally do in other countries.

Red Key managing director Terry Phelan said yesterday more than 600 people had applied for jobs that have a going pay rate of $600-plus a day, despite the upsurge in violence.

The firm is negotiating for contracts in Iraq and has advertised for staff in North Island newspapers over the past two months.

Mr Phelan, a former police diplomatic protection squad member, said he wasn't prepared for the degree of interest.

"But I'm not surprised because, if Kiwis find an opportunity, they'll go for it. It's the 'No 8 wire' type of syndrome."

Iraq would be Red Key's first foray overseas, after 10 years of operation.

He said it lost a tender to supply bodyguards for the Coalition Provisional Authority, but was looking at other options.

"We are currently going after other things and we have made no promises to staff," he said.

Mr Phelan said he would send staff there only if the conditions were right.

"You don't send a man in without the right protection," he said.

"You don't send a man into fire and just hope the hell he comes back out. You have to make sure he's going to be all right."

Mr Phelan, who is trying to win a contract in Iraq, said people wanted the work despite the danger because the money was good.

He estimated that about 1000 New Zealand civilians were already working in the security industry in Iraq.

Mr Phelan had received five phone calls this morning, 60 emails over Easter and more than 600 job applications.

He is advertising for experienced people to apply but said he was likely to have to sort through applications from some dreamers.

"I'm not here to teach people," he said.

"There are a lot of ex-military, para-military and police around, some others have gone through bodyguard courses overseas.

"The rewards are definitely there."

About five big security companies were working in Iraq, including one which began with just six staff in September, Mr Phelan said.

"Today, they have 14,000 staff working there."

- NZPA

Herald Feature: Iraq