Fed: Downer fears Aussie aid workers could be taken hostage

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2004
Fed: Downer fears Aussie aid workers could be taken hostage

Foreign Affairs Minister ALEXANDER DOWNER has expressed fears Australian aid workers
in Iraq could be targeted by kidnappers.

But Mr DOWNER says Iraqi insurgents could not blackmail the government into withdrawing
its troops from Iraq by taking Australians hostage.

A previously unknown Iraqi group calling itself the MUJAHEDEEN BRIGADE are threatening
to burn alive three Japanese civilian hostages unless Japan withdraws its troops from
Iraq.

A Canadian man and a British national have also been kidnapped in Iraq.

Mr DOWNER says Australian diplomatic staff in Baghdad are well protected by the Australian
Defence Force, but there is some risk to other Australians in Iraq.

He's praised the Japanese government for refusing to bow to the hostage takers' demands.

AAP RTV pj/jo/wz

KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST (CANBERRA)

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