Wood Freed, But Many More Still Held Against Their Will
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday June 17, 2005
Hallelujah. With the release of Douglas Wood we regain a measure of faith in our common humanity. Mr Wood's freedom was reportedly secured by the Iraqi Army with the help of US forces in one of the most dangerous Sunni Arab neighbourhoods of Baghdad ("Alive and free after 47 days", Herald, June 16).
This international rescue operation was the culmination of sustained efforts by the Australian Government, members of Mr Wood's family and Sheik Taj el-Din al Hilaly. They are all to be congratulated. We share the joy of the Wood family and wish Douglas Wood a quick recovery from his ordeal. Pamela Chippindall Point Piper No, Prime Minister, "all Australians" are not "jubilant" at the news of Douglas Wood's safety. I do not find my happiness at the good luck of one man (regardless of his nationality) enough to overcome the deep sadness at the ongoing suffering and insecurity of millions in Iraq, instigated by you and your allies with such thoughtless ferocity. Your ongoing, unapologetic triumphalism, in the face of such horror, sickens me.Jeremy Moses Higgins (ACT) Before the Government takes too much credit for the happy release of Douglas Wood, and on behalf of all those to whom it matters, I would like to thank Sheik Taj el-Din al Hilaly for the role he played in this matter. Philippa Harvey Newtown I am so proud to be an Australian. I stood, all the cool winter's morning, in Martin Place, greeting my fellow Australians with soft words of praise for our wonderful Prime Minister. Small groups have been spontaneously forming, in the pools of sunlight. Hand shakes hand, eye to eye we know what a wonderful world we live in. Freedom, in our time. On the edges, stragglers who would like to join recall how they have spoken against our Prime Minister. We would welcome them home.Keith Russell Mayfield West When a foreigner is forcibly detained by "them" in Iraq, it's "kidnapping". When an Iraqi is forcibly detained by "us" in Iraq, it's "extrajudicial detention". I. Bokor ArmidaleThe first words of Douglas Wood were apparently "God bless America". I doubt that will resonate well with his captors. Hopefully Douglas will pass by Australia on his way home to America and afford John Howard yet another photo opportunity.Patrick Sayers WoollahraIn the final analysis, neither the terror merchants nor the terrorists kept any promise. The instrument of the new democracy in Iraq, its emerging army, freed Douglas Wood.Doron Ur Clarinda (Vic)It is wonderful news that Douglas Wood is now free. Sheik Taj el-Din al Hilaly should be nominated for an Order of Australia.Ngaire Watson Redfern We are no longer Australians but, say Alexander Downer and his spin doctors, we are members of Team Australia. What a team it is. If I seek selection but am unsuccessful I can end up behind razor wire. If I complain about the working conditions, I can be sacked from the team. Forget about an Aussie coach, we have to have the Yankee one. At least the Poms will be happy. There is now a team they might be able to beat.Tony Re Georges HallIt may be time the brothers Wood, exemplified by their negotiation skills, proven diplomacy and general fortitude, were enlisted in negotiations on behalf of our interned refugees. It might be the refugees' only chance of a positive outcome in our system.Janice Creenaune AustinmerThe Prime Minister says he is overjoyed at the release of Douglas Wood. I will be overjoyed when those locked up in our detention centres, both on shore and on Nauru, are free. Marty Morrison Forster
© 2005 Sydney Morning Herald