Why publish that he is a former Para. Just adds fuel to the extremists's fire!

Paul, Ajax, Ontario, Canada

Where does it say giving up?? and correct me if im wrong but have britan not just sent special forces and other hostage rescue specialists in? despite the fact that the contractors are not their responsibility just like when the rescued Norman Kember, now i dont think thats called giving up.

John Ward, London,

Dave London.
A lot of people go to Iraq for the money,that is perfectly understandable,but the fact remains they do not need to go there,it is their choice.My remarks were not condescending as you put it,I am just stating fact.
joebaich
We have already spent Billions of tax dollars,I would have thought the army should be protecting contractors in the first place.This entire debacle is a result of your President's disastrous policy in Iraq,aided and abetted by our ludicrous Prime Minister.
The situation in Iraq hopeless. Period.

Michael J Rigby, Blackburn, England

I still cant work out why anyone volunteers to work in these places. People may as well play russian roulette for cash I hear its just as lucrative.

charlie thomson, singapore, singapore

It is sad and I mean no offenece. Why did Briotish go there? Now Is USA helping look for the English soldiers or they are ortgheir owb GIS and GIS
Thank you

Firozali A.Mulla MBA PhD, Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania

You British sure give up easliy, I guess that has been your way the last couple hundred years, put your head in the sand and ignore the problem

PHIL, CANTON, OHIO

I find it very hard to understand how a people who once had the greatest empire in the world can be so quick to tuck tail and run. If anyone pulls out now its a sighn of weakness and an open invitation to do whatever any said terrorist group wants to do. better to fight the fight the fight on their soil than ours. either way there will be a fight, the further away from our homes the better.

BEN, Charlotte, USA

Why use the euphemism "contractor". These guys used to be called mercenaries or dogs of war.

Dr Izhar Khan, Aberdeen,

I don´t see what the problem is.
Five people chose to go to Iraq with full knowledge of the risks. The level of their remuneration would make it attractive to work in an anarchic warzone.
Their gamble didn´t pay off as expected.
The armies in Iraq should be protecting the thouands of innocents who are living in such apalling conditions, not looking for a few individuals who are perhaps victims of their own greed.

Phil, málaga, spain

"but the army should be guarding important people in Baghdad,not private security firms."

Maybe they should, but are you, Michael J Rigby, willing to see scarce tax pounds diverted to this task. It costs significantly more to fund a soldier to this type of work than it does to fund a contractor,

joebaich, Lake Ridge, VA

There is only one answer to the whole conflict is get out of the country, ban british people from work in the country, they do so at their own risk.

Peter, Hastings, UK

Its just a drop in the ocean, there are fifty kidknaps a day in Baghdad. It's time to leave Iraq, despite Blair's delusions of building a liberal democracy, its turned to anarchy and things only get worse the longer we stay.

Mark, newcastle,

The men and women who go to iraq do understand the risks involved, this this includes both the armed forces and civilian contractors both security and other occupations. Therefore I don't think we need to point out that they are in mortal danger, I think they are perfectly aware of that, as are most people who have ever been to a conflict area. What they need is our support and not condesending remarks.

Dave , London,

"the army should be guarding important people in Baghdad,not private security firms"

Hmmmm,think I'd take my chances with the security firms.

Oliver, Brighton,

I like to commensurate with the families of the five missing presumed ..Britts, gone bush. One salient fact remains, it could well have been HRH Lt Harry Windsor who despite being denied his place with his Regiment, is still adament he should front Basra. Speaks volumes, he just dosen't get it ? Worthy, but niavete at it's worst. The COBRA - Whitehall's emergency response team,are really in a tizzy now - haven't they been warned after the debacle with the Navy's eleven in Iranian waters, some months ago ? As if the Dinosaur's wern't prepared for this eventualuty ? Talk, talk and more talk - somebody should be doing the walk. If not today, then asap. Trouble is, the Foreign Office, Embassy Officialdom, and all the sundry cohorts are all tarred with the same putrescent brush - it's always somebody else's fault. Explain it to the widow's and family who have to soldier on.
Really makes me wanna puke.

Ozchick, Surfers, Australia

If you put yourself in harms way,these are the risks you run;it is as simple and as deadly as that.
Anyone going to Iraq is in mortal danger;I hope this gentlemen and his companions are released unharmed,but the army should be guarding important people in Baghdad,not private security firms.

Michael J Rigby, Blackburn, England