WA: Latham slams PM for political point scoring on Iraq hostages

AAP General News (Australia)
04-11-2004
WA: Latham slams PM for political point scoring on Iraq hostages

Opposition Leader MARK LATHAM has criticised Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD for trying
to make domestic political capital out of the hostage situation in Iraq.

An Iraqi group has threatened to kill three Japanese civilian hostages unless Japan
withdraws its forces from Iraq and other groups also claim to have taken hostages.

Mr LATHAM has called for Australian troops to be brought home from Iraq before Christmas.

But Mr HOWARD has said any talk of exit strategies at the present time could encourage
more hostage taking.

Mr LATHAM says it's totally inappropriate for Mr HOWARD to be making domestic political
points in the circumstances of the Japanese hostages.

AAP RTV tc/wjf/wz

KEYWORD: IRAQ LATHAM (PERTH)

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.