US reveals Iraq 'hostage affairs' office

[sabra]

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/world/view_article.php?article_id=19798

US reveals Iraq 'hostage affairs' office
Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON -- The White House on Thursday revealed what may be a US diplomatic first: the US embassy in Baghdad houses a formal "Office of Hostage Affairs" to handle abductions of American citizens and other nationals.

"The United States, through the Office of Hostage Affairs in Embassy Baghdad, is addressing the scourge of kidnapping in Iraq, a key source of terrorist financing," the White House said in an official document.

"Through interagency and international efforts, hostages have been freed and/or rescued," it said in the document, which was released in support of a speech by US President George W. Bush.

The US embassy in Baghdad makes no mention of such an office on its Internet site, which includes listings for cultural affairs, consular affairs, political-military affairs, agricultural affairs, and public affairs.

[grytpype]

1. Well how are the terrorists going to contact the Hostage Affairs people?

No website? No email? How's a terrorist supposed to find them? What is this, the Middle Ages?

[Drum]

2. So that no one notices

them someday negotiating with the Iranians for hostages back. Remember what a shame, what a no-no that was in the Carter years, but then we found out Reagan &tc were doing it anyway. Now Iran is the "bad guys" again, Bush endangers every American abroad, and now they're pre-setting an "Office of Hostage Affairs" to get ready for the anticipated run on American hostages.

Am I imagining this???

[leftchick]

3. US reveals Iraq 'hostage affairs' office (Baghdad US Embassy)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060908/pl_afp/usattacksiraqembassyhostage_060908060231

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The White House revealed what may be a US diplomatic first: the US embassy in Baghdad houses a formal "Office of Hostage Affairs" to handle abductions of American citizens and other nationals.

"The United States, through the Office of Hostage Affairs in Embassy Baghdad, is addressing the scourge of kidnapping in Iraq, a key source of terrorist financing," the White House said in an official document.

"Through interagency and international efforts, hostages have been freed and/or rescued," it said in the document, which was released in support of a speech by US President George W. Bush.

The US embassy in Baghdad makes no mention of such an office on its Internet site, which includes listings for cultural affairs, consular affairs, political-military affairs, agricultural affairs, and public affairs.

And a search of the US State Department Internet site does not turn up any mention of such an office anywhere else.



President George W. Bush walks through the corridors of the US embassy in Baghdad during a visit in June. The White House revealed what may be a US diplomatic first: the US embassy in Baghdad houses a formal "Office of Hostage Affairs" to handle abductions of American citizens and other nationals.(AFP/File/Paul J. Richards)

[keta11]

5. Only in the good ole US of A would this illiterate

be considered Presidential material. He has so dumbed down the White House, its unbelievable. What a maroon!!!

[Vodid]

4. Freeing hostages...hmmm, Isn't this negotiating with terrorists? nt