Australian hostage in Iraq has health worries says Downer

SYDNEY - Australian hostage Douglas Wood, kidnapped by insurgents in Iraq, has serious health problems, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer revealed today.

Mr Downer was speaking after appearing on Arabic television network al Jazeera to appeal for the release of the 63-year-old engineer.

"I made the point in the interview with al Jazeera that Douglas Wood is not a well man. He has a very serious heart condition, he has a problem with one of his eyes as well," Mr Downer told ABC radio in New York.

Mr Downer, who recorded the interview with al Jazeera in New York, said it was now believed Mr Wood was kidnapped from his apartment in Baghdad or on his way to work.

But it was still not known whether he was specifically targeted or was a random victim.

Mr Wood's captors later released a DVD showing him pleading for his life.

Mr Downer said he was determined to do everything he could to get Mr Wood out of Iraq unharmed.

"We're making a very big effort to (get Mr Wood out alive), so are our friends and allies, and so are the Iraqis.

"The information flow is really starting now, so I'll be in a much better position to judge in a day or two than I am now."

Family and friends of hostage Douglas Wood say the federal government's quick response to his plight has raised hopes he can be released unharmed.

A task force of Australian negotiators has arrived in Iraq to try to secure Mr Wood's release.

David Edge and Jim Fidge, school friends of Mr Wood, today said his family remained worried but confident in the government's actions.

"I spoke to one of the brothers yesterday and of course they're very worried and upset by the whole thing," Mr Edge told the Seven Network.

"But they have confidence in the government's ... very quick reaction to the whole problem, so hopefully that will bear results."

Mr Fidge said Mr Wood, 63, was easy-going with a strong religious background.

"He's a very easy-going character. He (grew) up in a very strong Christian family, I gather this will give him some sort of background for resilience I guess," he told the Seven Network.

"But it's a terribly serious situation to be in and one can only guess, really."

Mr Edge said Mr Wood, an engineer, was well-travelled and was aware of the dangers he faced.

"He's been to some interesting places in the world and he wouldn't be a stranger to danger," Mr Edge said.

"We can only hope it stands him in good stead."

Mr Downer has said the government was not in favour of a ransom being paid for Mr Wood's release because it would only encourage further kidnappings.

Mr Edge said the government was dealing with a difficult situation and was doing all it could for his friend.

"I think the government has a huge dilemma on its hands and I think that what they're doing is just about as much as they can do," he said.

"I can understand how Downer feels ... all we can do is hope and pray that something works out for Doug."

- AAP