After the recent appalling hostage takings/beheadings in Iraq, it
occurred to me that it's never been mentioned that anyone, whether
American military, private security, or Iraq military/security seem to
be looking for these hostages?
 Am I correct in perceiving that nobody is actually trying to find and
free these unfortunate people?

Dear pcventures-ga,

According to my research, the US led coalition are trying to locate
these hostages. Indeed, on 8 June this year, they were successful in
rescuing four such prisoners ? the first such rescue.

From my experience as a police officer (retired), I can say that
kidnapping is an extremely difficult crime to investigate, especially
when the motive is not for money, but for political reasons. Added to
that the unstable situation in Iraq, I can understand why so few have
been rescued. Also, the coalition may not wish to publicise their
efforts at tracing the hostages until they are actually successful.
Hence the unsettling impression that nothing is being done. It also
protects their contacts: Iraqi government, non-military organisations
and individual Iraqi?s who may be attempting to negotiate the
hostages? release.

This is an extract from a news item on the last rescue.

"Tuesday, June 08, 2004
 
BAGHDAD, Iraq ? U.S. special forces freed four hostages in a raid
Tuesday after staking out their captors' hideout for a day ? the first
military rescue of foreigners caught up in Iraq's wave of kidnappings.
[...] More than 40 people from several countries have been abducted in
Iraq since April. Many have been released. At least two have been
killed by their captors. [...] But freeing the hostages is becoming a
more difficult since some may have been sold by their captors to
anti-U.S. militants, said White, the Mideast envoy of the Archbishop
of Canterbury.[...] The CIA, Defense Intelligence Agency, FBI and
military units are also involved in tracking kidnappers and their
hostages in Iraq, a defense intelligence official in Washington said."

Source
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,122106,00.html
and at
http://www.dailytexanonline.com/news/2004/06/09/WorldNation/U.Forces.Rescue.4.Hostages.In.Iraq.Raid-684999.shtml
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/6/8/143452.shtml


I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Thank you
answerfinder

hostages rescue  iraq
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hostages "rescue mission" iraq
://www.google.com/search?q=hostages+%22rescue+mission%22+iraq&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8
hostages rescue  iraq negotiations
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=hostages+rescue++iraq+negotiations

Excellent, articulate answer - thanks!

Interesting!

Ralphs-GA - what are you trying to say here?

Dear pcventures-ga,
Thank you for the tip. Pleased I could help.
answerfinder-ga

I have been wondering the same thing myself. You see these great
movies where the special forces rush in and shoot up the bad guys and
rescue the captives. I wish it worked that way in real life. Thanks
for the great forum!
Robert
Conyers, Ga