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