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Iraq-Jordan
Chinese kidnapped?
2005-01-19
An Iraqi group calling itself The Islamic Resistance Group in Iraq - al-Numan Brigades has posted a videotape on its website showing what it called eight Chinese captives and alleging that they were working with US forces in Iraq. A spokesman for the captors threatened to kill the eight Chinese within 48 hours unless China clarifies its role in Iraq. Also Tuesday, one of interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's candidates in the 30 January elections was killed in the southern city of Basra, officials in Baghdad and Basra said. The officials, who did not give the name of the victim, said he was killed on Tuesday morning. Fighters trying to derail Iraq's election have repeatedly attacked government officials and election workers.
Posted by:Fred

#10  Technically, you are correct Edward Yee (#3), the military's army is about 2 million, however I was simply refering to the vast potential of civilian male reserves between 18 and 40 that China could 'tap' in a draft of national security defense! And being sarcastic about their international help!
Posted by: Shaiter Spaiper1654   2005-01-19 3:38:39 PM  

#9  As a negotiating tactic, convince the other side that there is something on the table they really didn't want (or intend) to have there... and then negotiate against that.
Posted by: Dishman   2005-01-19 12:05:45 PM  

#8  The criminals in Iraq, don't all have the same agenda. So no country is really safe from these kidnappings. The only thing people can do is make it not worth it for the criminals. Send trops. The one agenda they all have is get the coalition out. If they kidnap, and countries sent trouops, they would realize the kidnappings ain't working.
Posted by: plainslow   2005-01-19 11:17:35 AM  

#7  Steve: Nah, the Chinese will just have their ambassadors to Syria and Iran make a few calls and their boys will get released.

The French may have tried this. Still took a while to get their journos back.
Posted by: Zhang Fei   2005-01-19 10:35:24 AM  

#6  Nah, the Chinese will just have their ambassadors to Syria and Iran make a few calls and their boys will get released.
Posted by: Steve   2005-01-19 10:31:03 AM  

#5  Not much they can do. The reality is that most countries don't have very palatable options when their nationals are kidnapped. It doesn't make sense to risk the lives of hundreds of troops (if they're allowed in-country) to rescue 8 people. And if the Chinese knew where the hostages were, they would be better off having GI's carry out the rescue - that way some of the hostages actually make it out alive. I can almost guarantee that we have better intelligence in Iraq than the Chinese do.

The one thing they can do that we can't is talk to Saddam's henchmen (via backchannels), who are undoubtedly indebted to the Chinese for their assistance throughout the post-Desert Storm sanctions. These guys will want to keep good relations with the Chinese government in case they ever return to power. China can also work out a deal where they provide free weaponry to the guerrillas in exchange for their people.
Posted by: Zhang Fei   2005-01-19 10:13:43 AM  

#4  Threy could easily threaten to send 10,000 soldiers,for every hostage not released within a specific timetable. It would improve relations with us, at the very least.
Posted by: plainslow   2005-01-19 8:09:35 AM  

#3  Technically about 2 million, actually.

But hmm ...
Posted by: Edward Yee   2005-01-19 3:57:30 AM  

#2  The Chinese may even send 250 troops, like they did in Haiti, to shore up resolution against the insurgents from their 100 million man standing army... sure!!
Posted by: smn   2005-01-19 3:17:41 AM  

#1  Not to worry - the Chinese will pay.
Posted by: gromky   2005-01-19 2:24:57 AM  

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