Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05CANBERRA779
2005-05-04 02:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:  

FIRST AUSTRALIAN HOSTAGE IN IRAQ WILL NOT ALTER

Tags:  PTER PREL AS IZ 
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UNCLAS CANBERRA 000779 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PREL AS IZ
SUBJECT: FIRST AUSTRALIAN HOSTAGE IN IRAQ WILL NOT ALTER
GOA POLICY


UNCLAS CANBERRA 000779

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PREL AS IZ
SUBJECT: FIRST AUSTRALIAN HOSTAGE IN IRAQ WILL NOT ALTER
GOA POLICY



1. (U) SUMMARY: The GOA responded strongly to the first
kidnapping of an Australian citizen in Iraq by decrying the
actions of the insurgents who seized him, rejecting their
demands for a withdrawal of Australian troops, and affirming
that Australia's commitment to Iraq would not waiver. Short
of giving in to the hostage-takers, the GOA has pledged to do
all it can to assist its citizen, Douglas Wood, and has sent
an emergency task force to Iraq to work with Iraqi and
Coalition authorities to try to obtain the Australian's
release. The GOA has also asked the UN for assistance. End
Summary.


2. (U) Australian leaders said publicly on May 2 and 3 that
the GOA would do everything within its power to help
63-year-old Australian citizen/American resident Douglas
Wood, the first Australian to be kidnapped in Iraq. Both
Prime Minister Howard and Foreign Minister Downer made clear,
however, that Australia would not accede to the terrorists'
demands that Australia pull its troops out of Iraq. In a
video released on May 2 by his captors, Wood pleaded with
President Bush and Prime Minister John Howard to withdraw
troops in order to save his life. The "Shura Council of the
Mujahedden of Iraq" claimed responsibility for the kidnapping
and released a statement with the video tape saying its
actions were timed to coincide with Australian Defense
Minister Robert Hill's weekend visit to Iraq. Australian
press also speculated that the kidnapping was related to the
recent deployment of 450 additional Australian troops to
southern Iraq. According to media reports, Wood, an engineer
who has been a California resident since 1992, was working on
construction projects in Iraq when he was seized. His
American-citizen wife Pearl identified him in the videotape.


3. (U) Prime Minister Howard told the press that it has been
his "great dread" that an Australian would be taken hostage
at some point. The PM announced that a special interagency
task force headed by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(DFAT) Deputy Secretary Nick Warner, and including Australian
Federal Police and Defense Department personnel, would arrive
in Iraq on May 3 to liaise with Iraqi and Coalition
authorities. Howard said his government would do everything
it could to secure Wood's safe release, consistent with the
GOA's position of not giving in to hostage takers. "We won't
alter (our) position: we can't have the foreign policy of
this country dictated by terrorists," the PM declared.


4. (U) Foreign Minister Alexander Downer reiterated Howard's
position and reinforced that Australia would not pay a ransom
or change its policy in response to kidnappings. "We are not
sub-contracting our foreign policy to terrorists," Downer
said. He believed to do so would only encourage terrorists
and kidnappers around the world to take more Australians
hostage. "It's going to be very important, not just for
Iraqis but for the world, that we stick with the Iraqis and
help them promote their democracy, help Iraq become a free
country, and to pull out now would be the worst thing
imaginable." Downer said the GOA response team would
consider speaking with the hostage takers to persuade them to
"desist from an utterly cruel, callous and inhumane" act.
Defense Minister Hill, meanwhile, attempted to manage
expectations, commenting on a radio program that he was not
confident the efforts to free Wood would be successful.


5. (U) Australian media also reported FM Downer's request to
Secretary General Annan for the UN's help. The Secretary

SIPDIS
General reportedly sent instructions to UN officials in Iraq
to provide all possible assistance to the Australians. The
GOA is also hoping that tribal and religious leaders in Iraq
will play a role in facilitating Wood's release, as they have
in previous hostage situations.


6. (SBU) DFAT Iraq Task Force Director Bassim Blazey told
Polcouns that FM Downer was planning an interview with
al-Jazeera on May 3 while in Washington to appeal for Wood's
release. Australian Ambassador to Iraq Harold Brown was
cutting short his vacation and returning to Iraq to assist
with the situation. Blazey said the GOA was in contact with
Wood's family in California and that so far they appeared to
be reacting to the situation as calmly as possible, agreeing
with the GOA policy of not paying ransom to hostage-takers.
Finally, Blazey expressed appreciation for the "excellent"
cooperation the Australians were receiving on the ground in
Baghdad from the U.S.


7. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.

STANTON