Human Collateral

THEY ARE, BY THEIR OWN CREDIBLE ACCOUNTS, TWO ordinary Britons tripped up by circumstances. Paul Ride, 33, a catering manager employed in Kuwait, says he was forced into Iraq by soldiers during a business trip near the border. Michael Wainwright, 41, claims he was admitted to Kurdistan by Iraqi guards while visiting Turkey. Both are now serving long terms for illegal entry, and Iraq has tied their fate to a payoff demanded of the British government growing out of the Gulf War.

As relatives were permitted to visit the two in a Baghdad prison, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz hinted that the impasse might be resolved speedily "if the British government shows sympathy toward the hardship of the Iraqi people." Translation: Britain must free $923 million in Iraqi assets frozen since Desert Storm. London has signaled no deal, vowing to keep the funds until Iraq meets United Nations-mandated disarmament and political guidelines. Ride and Wainwright remain hostages.