Two Indonesia nationals kidnapped in Iraq
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-10-01 14:13

Authorities on Friday called for the release of two Indonesian women held hostage by Islamic militants in Iraq, expressing hope that the kidnapping was ``a mistake'' since Indonesia's government never supported the war.

Arab TV station Al-Jazeera showed footage Thursday of 10 hostages seized in Iraq by a militant group calling itself The Islamic Army. Two of them were Indonesians working for an electricity company in the country, the report said.

``We call for the immediate release of these hostages who are being held by the Islamic Army. We're very concerned about their safety,'' said Marty Natalegawa, foreign ministry spokesman. ``Indonesia never sent troops to Iraq. Maybe this was a mistake and that the Indonesians were not their target.''

Natalegawa said the government has received no demands from the kidnappers and were still trying to confirm what company the women worked for. They also were trying to contact the families of the women - identified as Muslims Rosidah binti Anan and Rafikan binti Aming - who are believed to live in the capital Jakarta.

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, opposed the war in Iraq and has been a vocal critic of the occupation.

Indonesia's Metro TV aired footage from Al-Jazeera showing the women wearing Muslim head scarves and staring expressionless into the camera. Men with assault rifles stood above them as the hostages appealed for their employer to stop dealing with the occupation forces.

Natalegawa said Indonesia had yet to send a team to the country but was working with the governments of Jordan and Lebanon and Indonesians in Iraq to help negotiate their release. He also said the government may call on Indonesian Muslim leaders, including former President Abdurrahman Wahid, to help mediate.

``Hopefully, they will be released soon,'' he said.

The Islamic Army has claimed responsibility for two French journalists seized in Iraq last month. They are still being held.

More than 140 foreigners have been kidnapped in Iraq by a range of groups, some holding them for ransom while others have set political conditions for their release. At least 26 hostages have been killed.

Last month, suspected insurgents killed a 27-year-old Indonesian engineer who was helping to install a cellular network near the city of Mosul in northern Iraq. He was the first Indonesian citizen killed there.

Soon after, Indonesia urged its citizens to leave Iraq and no longer accept work contracts there. Other Asian countries have issued similar warnings, including the Philippines which has barred its citizens from working there. It was unclear how many Indonesians work in Iraq. 

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