FED: Iraq policy will not change if hostages taken - Howard

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2004
FED: Iraq policy will not change if hostages taken - Howard

TWEED HEADS, NSW, April 13 AAP - Australia's policy on Iraq would not change if an
Australian was taken hostage, Prime Minister John Howard said today.

Speaking in Tweed Heads today Mr Howard said he hoped and prayed no one would be taken hostage.

But he stressed Australia had an obligation "to go the distance".

Mr Howard urged Australians in Iraq to take extreme care and stay in contact with Australian
officials in the war-torn country.

He said those responsible for taking hostages were enemies of a democratic future in Iraq.

AAP dp/ew/ch/mg/cjh/bwl

KEYWORD: IRAQ HOSTAGE HOWARD

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