AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2004
Fed: Howard comments placed me in danger: released Aust woman
An Australian aid worker taken hostage for 24 hours in the Iraqi town of Fallujah has
described her capture as terrifying.
DONNA MULHEARN has claimed she had been placed in great danger because of inflammatory
comments by Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD.
The aid worker from Maitland in New South Wales, was captured by local Mujahadeen fighters
as she and three other foreign aid workers tried to leave the embattled town on Wednesday
afternoon.
As they were leaving, the workers' car became caught in crossfire between the militia
and US forces.
Ms MULHEARN said she tried to show her Australian passport at a US checkpoint, but
the four were captured by the militia, who were armed with a dozen guns and rocket-propelled
grenades.
In an email sent from Iraq, Ms MULHEARN says she was held for 24 hours and released unharmed.
She claims inflammatory comments by Mr HOWARD, which were given wide airplay on Iraqi
and Arab television in the preceding days, had placed her in danger.
She says the Mujahadeen fighters who questioned her asked why Australia wants to hurt
Iraqi people.
MORE RTV sd/rh
KEYWORD: IRAQ HOSTAGES AUST (SYDNEY) WITH AUDIO
2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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