|
Two Australians abducted in Iraq
An Iraqi group said on Monday it had abducted two Australians and two East Asians in the latest of a series of hostage-takings in Iraq, as Italy stepped up efforts to free two women aid workers. Australia, an important US ally, said it was "moving heaven and earth" to investigate the claim, which came in a statement issued in the name of the "Horror Brigades" of the Islamic Secret Army. The statement, handed out in the Sunni Muslim insurgent bastion of Samarra, gave Australia 24 hours to end its involvement in Iraq or the hostages would be executed. The statement in Iraq claiming the abduction of the Australians said they and the two East Asians "were working as security contractors for important people". "We tell the infidels of Australia that they have 24 hours to leave Iraq or the two Australians will be killed without a second chance," it added. It called on Prime Minister John Howard to announce the pullout in person "if he is concerned about his two citizens". A spokesman for Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the government had been in touch with its Baghdad embassy and other sources to check the claim. Posted by: TS(vice girl) 2004-09-13 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=43101 |