BROWN: FINAL IRAQ HOSTAGE IS STILL ALIVE; Hope after two more 'feared dead'.Byline: CHRIS HUGHES GORDON Brown gave the family of fifth Iraq hostage Peter Moore a glimmer of hope yesterday by saying the Government believes he is still alive. The PM's announcement came as he confirmed 36-year-old Peter's fellow hostages Persons taken by an individual or organized group in order to force a state, government unit, or community to meet certain conditions: payment of ransom, release of prisoners, or some other act. Alan McMenemy and Alec MacLachlan were "very likely" to have been killed. Mr Brown said the families of Alec and Alan had been informed a week ago. He went on: "This is the worst of news, and my thoughts are with the families. "I and the entire Government are committed to doing everything that we can for the release of Peter Moore, whom we still believe to be alive. BODIES "Hostage-taking is never justified. I condemn To adjudge or find guilty of a crime and sentence. To declare a building or ship unsafe for use or occupancy. To decide that a navigable vessel is a prize or is unfit for service. it unreservedly un·re·served adj. 1. Not held back for a particular person: an unreserved seat. 2. Given without reservation; unqualified: unreserved praise. 3. , and once again call on the hostage-takers to release Peter Moore and give us clarity on the fates of Alec MacLachlan and Alan McMenemy." The bodies of Jason Creswell, 38, and Jason Swindlehurst, 39, seized along with Peter, Alan and Alec in Baghdad in May 2007, were handed over at the British Embassy last month. They had been shot. Peter's father Graeme, 59, yesterday said they were clinging to the hope he may have been spared because of his civilian status. He is an IT specialist, unlike his four co-hostages who were his bodyguards. Graeme said: "The word was that Peter was being treated differently because the others are exArmy and bodyguards and Peter was a civilian. "At the moment it's all we can hope for." Peter's stepmum Pauline begged his captors to spare him and give back Alec and Alan's bodies. She added: "I would ask the men that are holding the boys to please let them go now. Enough is enough. We have been to the two funerals, of Jason Creswell and Jason Swindlehurst, and now we are informed that Alec and Alan are also no longer with us. "I plead plead v. 1) in civil lawsuits and petitions, the filing of any document (pleading) including complaints, petitions, declarations, motions, and memoranda of points and authorities. to the hostage-takers to send home the bodies of Alec and Alan so that their parents can have closure and move on. "And I appeal to them to please let Peter come back alive." And Peter's gran, Edna, 84, said: "We can only hope. God help the other families. We feel so helpless." The families of Alec, from South Wales South Wales south n → sud m du Pays de Galles , and Alan, of Glasgow, have not yet given up hope. They said in a joint statement: "We are all deeply upset and troubled to hear the reports that Alec and Alan have died. "We ask those holding our men for compassion compassion, n a profound awareness of another's suffering coupled with a desire to alleviate that suffering. when so many are working hard for reconciliation in Iraq. "We continue to pray for the safe return of our men." Sources in Baghdad have claimed both men are dead. No bodies have been found. Peter, from Lincoln, and his bodyguards were seized by about 40 armed men in police uniforms at Baghdad's finance ministry. The kidnappers, calling themselves the Islamic Shia Resistance in Iraq, have issued several videos featuring the captives. CAPTION(S): SEIZED Peter Moore on video 'DEAD' ALEC MACLACHLAN 'DEAD' ALAN McMENEMY |
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