Australia and Iraq.

Bush was asked how he thought the Oz withdrawal would be-- It was his business to answer. "Disasterous" was his answer.

The Opposition in Oz has used Bush's unpopularity there to score political points. Certainly, not the first time this has happened... I suppose they have served their interests well. Bush's answer was obviously his honest opinion, because as Howard said, it seems Bush didn't calculate the politics in Oz--or he wouldn't have thrust Howard into his unpopular lap before the OZ electorate re the Iraq issue.

However, the big news here is: Sidney Sidebottom.
<tee hee>

Bush was asked how he thought the Oz withdrawal would be-- It was his business to answer. "Disasterous" was his answer.

The Opposition in Oz has used Bush's unpopularity there to score political points. Certainly, not the first time this has happened... I suppose they have served their interests well. Bush's answer was obviously his honest opinion, because as Howard said, it seems Bush didn't calculate the politics in Oz--or he wouldn't have thrust Howard into his unpopular lap before the OZ electorate re the Iraq issue.

However, the big news here is: Sidney Sidebottom.
<tee hee>

Anywho - Sidney Sidebottom appears to be an alleged child rapist:

The Feds are suddenly expressing concerns just before the opinion is due to be tabled - so they must feel it will be unhelpful for them electorally - since they have made no move to repatriate the Oz accused.

I will go looking for the reportage re this later - heard it on the radio this am.

dlowan wrote:

The Feds are suddenly expressing concerns just before the opinion is due to be tabled - so they must feel it will be unhelpful for them electorally - since they have made no move to repatriate the Oz accused.

I will go looking for the reportage re this later - heard it on the radio this am.

A little article on page 3 of my Age today, Deb. Not much. Maybe more to come? Apparently we're suddenly concerned about the US handling of the commission! Probably more to do with the election campaign than concern that Hicks gets a fair trial. Maybe the Libs are worried that the outcome will reflect badly on them? Maybe people will think they didn't care? Call me cynical .....

bigger target

TWO Australians and two East Asians have been kidnapped in Iraq, said a statement purportedly from the Islamic Secret Army handed out in the Sunni Muslim insurgent bastion of Samarra today.

The statement gave Canberra a 24-hour deadline to end its interests in Iraq or see the hostages executed, but there was no immediate confirmation of the ultimatum's authenticity.

"One of our brave brigades ambushed civilian cars belonging to the American army on the motorway from Baghdad to (the main northern city of) Mosul," said the statement dated today.

"It took four prisoners, two Australians and two East Asian nationals who were working as security contractors for important people," it said.

"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."

The Federal Government is investigating claims two Australians have been kidnapped in Iraq and will be killed if Australia doesn't pull out of the war zone in 24 hours.

The two Australians were seized along with two East Asians, according to a statement believed to have been issued by the Islamic Secret Army and quoted by the Agence France-Presse news agency.

The statement said the Australians would be executed if the Federal Government did not pull out of Iraq in 24 hours.

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said the claims were being investigated.

"A claim has been made but we don't have anything more at this stage," he said.

"We are waiting for advice from Baghdad."

The spokesman was unable to say if those believed to have been kidnapped were soldiers or civilians.

A spokesman for Mr Downer said the Government was trying to confirm if any Australians had been kidnapped.

"We are moving heaven and earth to get as much information as we can," he told AAP.

"We have no more information (other than media reports).

"Obviously through the department (of Foreign Affairs) we are checking this out as a matter of priority. "We are in contact with our embassy in Baghdad and obviously other contacts in Iraq."

Australia still has about 850 troops in Iraq.

"The (Australian) Prime Minister (John Howard) must announce the withdrawal personally if he is concerned about his two citizens," the statement said.

A Secret Islamic Army unit calling itself the Black Banners division claimed the execution of two Pakistani hostages in late July.

But earlier this month the group also released three Indian, three Kenyan and an Egyptian truck driver six weeks after they were taken hostage.

The release of the drivers on September 1 offered a ray of hope to a dozen other foreigners still in captivity.

The kidnappers had demanded Kuwaiti company KGL, the drivers' employer, end its work in Iraq. The company complied with the demand.

The secret Islamic Army had also demanded that KGL pay compensation to families who had suffered in air strikes on the Iraqi city of Fallujah.

The drivers' release came a day after another militant group said it had slaughtered 12 Nepalis in the worst mass killing of captives in Iraq since a spate of kidnappings began in April.

Scores of nationals from more than two dozen countries have been kidnapped since April, when guerrillas embarked on new tactics to force foreign troops and firms to leave Iraq.

The strategy has heightened Iraq's image as one of the world's most dangerous countries and scared off investors.

About two dozen foreign hostages have been killed, some of them beheaded. The Nepalis were kidnapped last month when they entered Iraq to work as cooks and cleaners.