Australia firm on Iraq troops

[Khephra]

Australia firm on Iraq troops
Tue 14 September, 2004 05:15

By Paul Tait

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Prime Minister John Howard has stood firm against withdrawing troops from Iraq after unconfirmed reports that two Australians have been taken hostage and would be killed within 24 hours unless Canberra pulls out.

"We all hope and pray the information is wrong," Howard said on Tuesday, but added "we do not bow to terrorist threats".

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he believed all Australians in Iraq had been accounted for and companies working there were running checks on all their employees.

"At this stage, we can find no evidence about any Australians missing or ... kidnapped, but nevertheless we have got to be cautious in what we say because further information could turn up as the day goes on," Downer told Australian television.

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=582682§ion=news

[Matilda]

1. I can't see why it would be a hoax.

There'd be no point in that at all.

Howard doesn't seem to understand how seriously pissed off these
people are, and they really, truly, do want us OUT!

Latham has been a bit weak by echoing Howard's "no deals with
terrorists" line. He's already said he'll pull out Australian
troops by Christmas if elected, so why not just keep saying that?
There are terrorists who are murdering thugs, and there are
nationalists with a genuine grievance - let's not confuse the two.
Their actions may be abhorrent to us, but so are our actions
equally abhorrent to them.