Fed: Australians to stay in Iraq despite hostage taking - Howard

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2004
Fed: Australians to stay in Iraq despite hostage taking - Howard

CANBERRA, April 13 AAP - There was no need to order Australian civilians working in
Iraq to leave the war-torn country despite a spate of hostage taking, Prime Minister John
Howard said today.

Eleven Russians working for an energy company have been kidnapped in Baghdad today,
amid growing fears for at least 16 foreigners who have been abducted or are reported missing
in Iraq.

Three Japanese hostages are still being held by their captors, while seven kidnapped
Chinese have been freed.

But Mr Howard said while the hostage situation was worrying, it did not mean Australians
should pull out of Iraq.

"Everybody is at some degree of risk and we are in contact through our office as best
we can with the 60-80 Australian contractors who are doing different things there," Mr
Howard told the Nine Network.

"I am not asking them to get out.

"I act on advice in matters relating to this.

"Obviously the whole situation is more difficult, but it is certainly not a situation
where there can be any weakening of the resolve of countries involved.

"We must see it through. Any suggestion that we get out now in the face of this now
will just award victory to the terrorists, award victory to hostage takers, award victory
to people I know the great majority of Australians don't want to appear victorious."

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KEYWORD: IRAQ HOSTAGES HOWARD

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