woods rules out returning to iraq

ABC Online;
Freed Australian hostage Douglas Wood has now ruled out returning to Iraq.

Mr Wood flew into Melbourne yesterday after being held hostage for 47 days.

He was rescued in Baghdad by Iraqi forces last week.

Yesterday Mr Wood said he supports Australian and US policies on Iraq, and apologised to Prime Minister John Howard and US President George W Bush for some of the things he said while in captivity.

Mr Wood said yesterday he may go back to Iraq to pursue business opportunities.

But a spokesman for the Wood family says in recognition of the Australian Government's efforts to free him and after advice from his family, he has decided against returning to Iraq.

Dave R.