5 Iraqi prisoners released; could be a key to Jill Carrol's return from captivity

The US military frees five Iraqi prisoners from captivity today. Four of those demanded by the kidnappers of US rporter Jill Carroll still remain in custody. The release was unrelated to her abductors’ demands, a US official said.

Ri-ight.

While all of us hope for Ms. Carroll's safe return, I wonder how this will affect the safety of other Western nationals in Iraq and elsewhere. Kidnapping of westeners appears to be becoming a growth industry in Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere. The latest spate started with the kidnapping in Gaza of `activist' kate Burton and her elderly parents, who were released for a heavy 7 figure ransom paid by the British government through its M1-5 office in Rafah, Gaza.