Negotiators get expert help to seek militants

CANBERRA - Hostage teams seeking the release of Douglas Wood in Iraq have clamped a security blanket over their operations as they begin the difficult job of finding and negotiating with the militants who last weekend abducted the 63-year-old Australian engineer.

Wood's brothers Malcolm and Vernon yesterday broadcast an emotional appeal for his release over the Arabic news channel al-Jazeera, following an earlier, similar, appeal by Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.

But Wood's family, acting on the advice of officials, have declined further comment and Downer said that officials would be "pretty discreet" about what they said.

But after meeting United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington, Downer disclosed that Australian negotiators now in Baghdad were being assisted by American, Iraqi and other international experts.

"[The Americans] are working with a number of other countries, as we are through our diplomatic missions as well, and that includes countries like Italy, the United Kingdom, Turkey and France," he said.

"In some cases these countries have experience of hostages being taken themselves and are able to pass that on and give us more information about leads that we can follow."

Downer and Opposition Leader Kim Beazley also moved to restore some level of confidence in the prospects of the safe release of Wood by his captors, who identified themselves as the previously-unknown Shura Council of the Mujahadeen of Iraq.

In a tape released to al-Jazeera, Wood was shown begging for his life and seeking the withdrawal of Australian, US and British troops on behalf of a group he described as "fiercely patriotic".

Nothing more has been heard from his abductors.

Softening Defence Minister Robert Hill's earlier assessment that Wood's chances of survival were slim, Downer said Canberra was absolutely determined to secure his release, and "we have far from given up hope".

Beazley added: "I am optimistic for his safe release. There are people in there who know a great deal and who are doing their very best in this situation."

The Government and analysts believe the best chance of finding Wood alive is to enlist the aid of local religious and tribal leaders who have played major roles in securing the release of other hostages.

Part of this strategy includes direct, personal, appeals broadcast over Arabic media, emphasising the human and personal aspects of the kidnapping, and its effect on family and friends.

Both Downer and Malcolm Wood, who read the al-Jazeera statement, emphasised serious health problems suffered by Wood, and the agony of his loved ones.

The family statement also promised to encourage Wood to end the contracts his company had undertaken in Iraq and to leave the country.

"We are extremely concerned for Douglas' welfare. He is not a well man, with several medical problems needing constant care. He has a serious heart condition.

"In his current stressed environment, without medication, his health could fail him altogether ...

"We firmly believe that Douglas' captivity serves no useful purpose. Douglas respects the people of Iraq, their patriotic spirit and their right to independence ... ."