When it suits Howard politically to risk Australian lives - no worries at all.
No need to flee Iraq: PM
April 13, 2004 AUSTRALIAN civilians working in Iraq had no need to leave the war-torn country despite the recent spate of hostage-taking, the Prime Minister said today.
Insurgents in Iraq have seized at least 40 civilian hostages from 12 countries and have briefly detained a number of foreign journalists during a weeklong uprising.
"Everybody is at some degree of risk and we are in contact through our office as best we can with the 60-80 Australian contractors who are doing different things there," John Howard told the Nine Network. "I am not asking them to get out."
More than 40 foreigners reportedly have been taken hostage by insurgents in recent days, though a dozen have been released over the past two days. Those still believed held included three Japanese and American truck driver Thomas Hamill, whose captors have threatened to kill them. Seven Chinese were freed Monday after being held for a day, China's official news agency said. Two reportedly were injured.
Mr Howard has said the 850 Australian troops in and around Iraq will stay as long as they are needed, despite calls from the public for them to withdraw.
"Obviously the whole situation is more difficult, but it is certainly not a situation where there can be any weakening of the resolve of countries involved," he said.
