News
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Dinesh
thought he came back from the dead Sri Lanka's Ambassador for Iraq now based in Lebanon Amanul Faroque -- coordinating the negotiations under the supervision of the Foreign Ministry in Colombo -- first heard of the release of the 36-year-old truck driver and his Bangladeshi colleague as the announcement came over a radio channel known as 'As Sawa' in Baghdad. Mr. Faroque soon after re-checked and confirmed the news with several of his contacts in Iraq whom he had come to know while serving in Iraq for more than three years before the war broke out. Further confirmation came in when the 'Al Hura' TV station broadcast the pictures of the two released hostages. The news that brought so much of relief came after weeks of suspense over the hostage drama when at times there was speculation that Rajaratnam and his colleague could even be dead. But Foreign Ministry officials in Colombo and our diplomats stationed in the neighbouring countries of Iraq never abandoned their hopes though many Sri Lankans back home including his family members were oblivious to the unfolding drama and the nerve wracking negotiations taking place for the release of the hostages. Dinesh and his Bangladeshi colleague had set out on October 18 transporting a consignment of Fiber Optic cables to the Baghdad airport on behalf of the Kuwati company, Al Jasim Transport Company that manages more than 2,000 trucks. The journey appeared to be a routine one as this company was involved in the transportation of goods into Iraq accompanied by security escorts. According to the company's security report there had been four escort vehicles with eight security men armed with AK 47 assault rifles travelling with the convoy, but it appeared that the security men were either far ahead or far behind the two trucks when the incident occurred. However the security report indicates that two persons were killed in action and another was wounded. Sounds of Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) and small arms fire had been reported from the scene of the incident which had taken place in the Al Aziziyah area, also commonly known as the 'death road' due to the frequency of abductions, attacks and bombings along the route. The convoy heading towards Baghdad had stopped for the night in the Al Kut area. The spot between Al Kut and Baghdad on which the convoy was later intercepted was within a part of the area known as the 'Death Triangle'. Although the Sri Lankan and the Bangladeshi were taken hostage on October 19, the news of the abduction came to be known only on October 28 when it was first broadcast over the Al Jazeera TV station also showing pictures of the two hostages. The concerned diplomats soon called for and obtained confirmation of the news item from the TV station, which in turned offered to broadcast an appeal for the release of the two abducted nationals. Soon after the Foreign Ministry in Colombo was alerted about the incident and it began to map out its own strategies to secure the release of Mr. Rajaratnam. The ambassador was in touch with Foreign Secretary H. M. G. S. Palihakkara and Director General Consular Affairs M. Mahroof. Using non-diplomatic channels, exerting pressure on the Kuwati company and an open appeal to the captors were some of the options the Foreign Ministry considered, but meanwhile realised it could have had adverse effects as it might lead to a ransom or other unreasonable demands. In the midst of Mr. Rajaratnam's release efforts getting into full gear there was fresh information received to the effect that another Sri Lankan had been abducted, but after careful and detailed verification it was found to be a national of another country. Sri Lanka was soon making appeals to the captors for the release of Mr. Rajaratnam on humanitarian grounds; these appeals were broadcast over Al Arabia and Al Jazeera TV stations. On November 14, which was the Ramadan festival day, Ambassador Farouque placed a newspaper advertisement in the Al-Sabhar newspaper appealing for the release of Mr. Rajaratnam again on humanitarian grounds. The
appeal stated as follows: But sadly no information about the hostages appeared to be forthcoming. It wasn't long though before receiving news of the release of a 21-year-old female Iraqi journalist who was among those taken captive together with Dinesh and his colleague. Joseph Hameed presently the caretaker of the Sri Lanka Embassy office in Baghdad and his assistant Abu Radth were soon entrusted with the task of locating the released journalist identified as Ban Jaffer. But this mission was unsuccessful until the link between the female captive and her captors came to be later understood. Among one of the locations visited by the caretaker and his assistant was the Conference Palace where current Iraqi administration offices are located but they were chased out of the building. During the process of the negotiations to secure the release of Rajaratnam, a series of developments including the US assault on Faljua and killing of several hostages took place. As the diplomatic corps awaited further information a radio broadcast aired from the Southeastern part of Iraq on November 25 said that two mutilated bodies identified as that of a Bangladeshi and an Indonesian driver had been recovered. Besides the bodies were found a note left by the killers, which read, "This is the fate for supporting Americans". This incident gave rise to fears whether the Sri Lankan was among the dead as earlier reports had said that it was the same area from where Mr. Rajaratnam was abducted. Reports also said the two dead persons were employed by the same company. Checks carried later revealed that the Al-Jasmin Company had not sent any of their men to the area. Ambassador Faroque was able to obtain pictures of the two dead persons and it appeared that one of the men was wearing a shirt similar to that worn by Mr. Rajaratnam. Mr. Hameed the embassy caretaker and his assistant were again tasked to gather any available information and after a drive through a dangerous area he managed to reach the location where the incident had taken place, which was close to a farm. A man there wanted US $ 15 to divulge information, but after making the payment the caretaker found the man was unable to give any worthwhile information except to say the Hafria police had taken the dead bodies away. They then visited the police station having to go through another dangerous area having to avoid missiles flying past their heads. From the police station they moved to the morgue and took photographs of the two bodies. The photographs were e mailed to Ambassador Faroque who after a careful look at the pictures and forwarded them to the General Manager of the Al Jaseem transport company who soon confirmed the pictures did not resemble any of their employees. With the dawn of December 6, Mr. Faroque received a call on his mobile from one his friends who said the 'Al Sawa' radio station in Iraq had reported the release of the two hostages. He did not delay getting in touch with the Indian Ambassador in Iraq, Brij Thiyagi to seek confirmation of the latest news item. Another TV station, the 'Al-Hura' had also reported the event with pictures soon after. The TV station reported that Mr. Rajaratnam and his colleague had been handed over to a Human Rights organisation in Iraq. A news item in the 'Al Mada' newspaper in Iraq, which further confirmed the release, followed this report. The news item said the two hostages before being released were warned not to have links with the Kuwati company or the Americans. Ambassador Faroque soon got in touch with his Iraqi counterpart based in Lebanon and made contact with the Iraqi interim administration who assured that the Lankan would be handed over to the Ambassador. Ambassador Faroque and Labour Welfare counselor Sarath Radaliyage decided to take an immediate trip for Iraq on a mission kept under wraps as the risk of harm to the hostage still remained. They left to Iraq on November 9 via Damascus to the Baghdad international airport on board an Iraqi Airways flight, which happened to be the only flight operating to the country. To their utter disappointment the flight was delayed and they were told to report to the Internal Ministry building by 3.30 p.m. On arrival the Ambassador was told he may not be able to secure the release of Mr. Rajaratnam on the following day as it was Friday and the customary weekly holiday. But he managed to convince the administration to secure the release of Mr. Rajaratnam. The scenes in Baghdad with heightened security were evidence to what had taken place during the past few months. Devastated towns, huge security barricades, fear and anxiety among the remaining residents were all testimony to the events which have taken place in Iraq. The Ambassador then visited the Sri Lankan embassy office in Iraq, which is now closed and took over the required documents and seals for the issuance of travel documents. He obtained clearance from Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar to accept the Bangladeshi national as well as Bangladesh had not sent a representative. Mr. Kadirgamar later briefed his counterpart in Dhaka about the latest developments in the hostage drama and on the following day both Dinesh Rajaratnam and Abdul Hadi were released. Having visibly brightened up on seeing the Ambassador, Mr. Rajaratam's first words to the Ambassador were "Api Merila Ipadunawage" (It is as if we have risen from the dead"). Without delaying any further they were out of the place and back at the Indian Ambassador's residence where they were treated with rice and chicken curry before returning back to Sri Lanka after a cumbersome procedure of obtaining a transit visa. Meanwhile the Ambassador had alerted one of his friends in Damascus to be prepared with some clothing for the two persons whom he was accompanying. Ending nine weeks of anguish a much-relived Mr. Rajaratnam arrived on a Qatar Airways flight to Colombo accompanied by Ambassador Faroque. "Sri Lanka's Foreign policy may have been one of the reasons for the release of Rajaratnam," Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar told The Sunday Times. He said that country's foreign policy followed over the years had come into play at crucial times like this. Finally the release of Rajaratnam may have come without the direct intervention of the government, but all diplomatic efforts, appeals by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, Deputy Foreign Minister Vishva Warnapala, from the family and the media interest generated both locally and internationally appeared to have a bearing on the release of Rajaratnam. As many as 170 foreigners have been taken hostage in Iraq and at least 30 of them have been executed while 40 have been released while the whereabouts of others are not known. However, all persons taken hostage have not been taken by militant groups. Some abductions are carried out to collect ransom. Some 'freelance' groups have made abductions their busines. They abduct foreigners and hand them over to Iraqi resistance groups at a price. Even in the case of Rajaratnam and his friend, there were indications that they were first taken by such a group as during the initial negotiations, attempts were made to get the Kuwaiti company to pay ransom. The Bangladeshi national was handed over to the Bangladesh Ambassador at Damascus, though the original plan was to fly him also to Colombo. Mr. Rajaratnam was happily reunited with his wife and three children who were at the airport to welcome them. |
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