WAR: Foreign Aid Agencies Expected To Leave Iraq, page 1

Following the kidnapping of two italian women, Simona Torretta and Simona Pari, a coordinator for non-governmental groups is expecting the pullout of the remaining aid agencies. The dangers of working in Iraq and becoming greater since the kidnapping of the women.

abcnew.go.com
Sept. 8, 2004 � BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Most remaining international aid agencies in Iraq are expected to pull out following the kidnapping of two Italian humanitarian workers, a coordinator for non-governmental groups in Baghdad said Wednesday.

"I expect most agencies to decide to leave," Jean-Dominique Bunel told Reuters, adding that up to 50 people from around 50 organizations could pull out of the country.

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There are currently 6 germans working in Iraq and a representative of German aid group Aktion Deutschland Hilft claims that the kidnapping of the two italian women was calculated and puts all foreign aid workers at risk.

Simona Torretta and Simona Pari, both 29, worked for an organization to help children in school across Iraq called Bridge to Baghdad. They were kidnapped when a group of armed men arrived in 3 cars at the office of the organization and seized the two women and 2 Iraqi's.

"That was a totally deliberate kidnapping. It's a totally new stage in the radicalization of terror acts and in the threat level for the international aid community," said Janina Niemietz.

50 workers from 50 different organizations in Iraq could leave Iraq due to the deteriorating conditions and safety.