Kiwi 'human shields' told to get out of Iraq while they can

2.30pm

Up to three New Zealanders in Iraq as human shields have been told to get out of the country any way they can, while they can.

Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) spokesman Brad Tattersfield confirmed today they knew the name of at least one New Zealander who was in Iraq as a human shield but there could be two others.

He said the three were there against the best advice MFAT could offer but if hostilities broke out they may be beyond help.

He said they should get out quickly "while it is still possible, while there are still means to do so".

Few if any commercial air services are flying into or out of Iraq and most people travelled overland into Iraq, including the human shields who travelled by bus.

"We are not in direct contact with them. We know they are there but they are there against our advice."

Mr Tattersfield said they could be in a hostile zone within hours if America and Britain declare war without waiting for United Nations sanction.

He said they could be taken hostage or could become targets like any other westerners in Iraq.

He said there would be little that could be done to help them.

"They are going willingly into a war zone and they are doing that at their own risk," Mr Tattersfield said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff last night listed Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, Jordan and Israel as "extreme risk" countries and put the entire Middle East under an official travel warning.

He warned there was "no certainty" the Government could evacuate stranded nationals if war broke out.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said New Zealanders in Iraq should leave immediately.

Twelve New Zealand defence force personnel in Iraq as part of the weapons inspection team were due to leave the country after the United Nations secretary general, Kofi Annan, ordered all UN staff out.

The chief of defence force, Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson, later confirmed 12 New Zealanders with the UNMOVIC team were getting out of Iraq.

"We have been in constant contact with our people in Iraq and our defence representatives at the United Nations in New York," he said in a statement.

"The UN is responsible for the evacuation and plans are in place to move our people to safety."

Of the 13 New Zealanders providing logistical support to the weapons inspections team, one is thought to be on leave out of Iraq, three were in Mosul near the borders with Syria, Turkey and Iran, and the rest were in Baghdad, Air Marshal Ferguson said.

- NZPA


Herald Feature: Iraq