Iraq hostage families fear worst
- 00:02:01
- ITN
Iraq hostage families fear worst
The families of five British hostages say they are "clinging on to hope" as tests are carried out to identify two bodies handed to authorities in Baghdad. There is so far no confirmation that the remains are linked to the group taken captive in the Iraqi capital two years ago. But Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said the Government's thoughts are with their relatives. The two men may have been dead for some time and sources say it could be several days before their identities are confirmed. The five contractors were seized in May 2007 by about 40 armed men wearing police uniforms at the Iraqi Finance Ministry. Among them was Peter Moore, an IT consultant from Lincoln who was working for an American management consultancy. The four others were employed by the Canadian security firm GardaWorld to protect him. They have been named only as Alan and Jason from Scotland, and Alec and Jason from Wales. Mr Miliband said British officials have been working with Iraqi authorities to try to secure the men's release. "In this case we, all of us, have clearly failed to achieve that goal in respect of two bodies whose identities we cannot yet confirm," he said. "It's very important that we continue to work for the confirmation of those identities and finally for the benefit of the other hostages." The mother of Alec, a bodyguard from south Wales, said it was a difficult time. She added: "We are anxious about the situation, yes. We have heard nothing new from the Foreign Office, but we are hoping for the best."
ITN | June 21, 2009
