Group threatens Australia and Italy over Iraq

8.00pm

MELBOURNE - Australia will not give in to threats of attack made by a group claiming to be the European wing of al Qaeda, but is taking the warning seriously, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said on Sunday.

A statement posted on a Website by the Islamic Tawhid Group threatened Italy and Australia with attacks with "columns of rigged cars" if they did not withdraw their troops from Iraq.

Downer said the threat was by a group unfamiliar to the government.

"Nevertheless it's a threat, it's on the internet, we take it seriously," he told the Nine Network Sunday programme.

"What it does is, it reminds us that we have to be absolutely determined in the face of the threats of terrorists to make sure that we don't give in to those threats."

On Wednesday, the previous unheard-of group threatened Bulgaria and Poland with attacks if they did not leave Iraq.

"Australian people, if your government refuses to withdraw and respond to us, we will shake the ground beneath your feet as we did in Indonesia and columns of rigged cars will not stop," the group said in its latest threat.

"Follow the path of the Philippines and Spain. It is the correct path which guarantees you a safe and secure life."

Downer said the Spanish troop withdrawal and the Philippines decision to pull out troops to save the life of a Filipino hostage had encouraged terrorists to continue threats.

"It is very important we send a strong message that we will not be threatened by terrorist groups. Terrorist groups will not determine the policy of the Australian government or the Australian people," he said.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has been a staunch supporter of the United States-led war on terror, and has defended the government's decision to send its troops to the war in Iraq in the wake of reports critical of intelligence services.

Howard is adamant that Australia's 850 troops in and around Iraq will stay as long as necessary. A poll has shown two-thirds of Australians support his stand.

The Labour opposition has pledged to bring troops home by Christmas if it wins the next election, tipped for later this year.

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq