MINISTER of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, has expressed elation over the release of Peter Moore, the British national who was held captive in Iraq since 2007. Benn noted that President Bharrat Jagdeo shares similar sentiments with respect to Moore’s release.

“We are extremely thrilled by the news of his release and we are following the developments as they unfold. We understand that he is in what they call decompression before he rejoins his family in England,” Minister Benn stated.

Peter Moore

Moore, a British computer expert for U.S.-based consulting firm BearingPoint, was kidnapped amid the sectarian warfare and insurgent attacks that ravaged Iraq in the years following the U.S. invasion in 2003. He was one of five Britons seized from the Iraqi finance ministry by people posing as security forces and government workers on official business. The other four men were guards working for the Canadian security firm GardaWorld.

Minister Benn noted that the excitement and anticipation of Moore’s release had intensified some months ago when international media reports had revealed that Moore may be freed. The Minister added that he is happy that Moore has been returned alive to his family.

Moore, who has worked in Guyana for a few years, arrived in this country through the Volunteer Services Overseas where he has significantly contributed to the technical development of Guyana. The Lands and Survey Commissions and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) were privileged to have benefited from his technical knowledge and skills.

During his tenure here, he aided in the development of the Geographic Information Systems- GIS Techniques and Programming. He also contributed to Guyana tremendously through the 2004/2005 flood whereby he developed the database and programming for flood relief efforts in Guyana.

Minister Benn has indicated that he hopes to make contact with Moore soon.

Peter Moore had been held hostage since May 2007. He was released Wednesday in good health, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband told reporters in London, England.

“He is undergoing medical checks and he will be reunited with his family as soon as possible back in the UK,” Miliband said. “He is obviously — to put it mildly — delighted at his release.”

A little known group calling itself The Islamic Shiite Resistance of Iraq claimed to have been behind Moore’s kidnapping. Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said government officials were not involved in the talks that led to Moore’s release, but said the decision to free him “is part of the national reconciliation program” aimed at convincing Iraq’s remaining armed factions to lay down their arms.

“The Iraqi government was not part of this effort, but was always supportive of the efforts,” al-Dabbagh said. He said the goal is to convince those factions still taking up arms against the U.S.-backed Iraqi government to “give up all violence and to be part of the political process through the normal rule of law here in Iraq.”