Militants holding Australian hostage issue 72-hour ultimatum

DUBAI - Kidnappers of an Australian man have demanded Australia begin withdrawing its troops from Iraq within 72 hours, according to a video tape of the hostage, Al Jazeera television said today.

It said the hostage spoke about the troop withdrawal demand on the tape, which showed Douglas Wood sitting on the ground and holding up his passport. He looked despondent as he apparently pleaded for his life towards the camera. His remarks could not be heard.

The brief portion of the tape aired by the television showed Wood with his head shaven. Two masked militants stood by with their guns pointed towards the hostage in the video which carried the name of the group - Shura Council of the Mujahideen in Iraq.


The family of Douglas Wood, the Australian being held hostage in Iraq, said in a statement today they were shocked and horrified to hear of the ultimatum.


"The family is shocked and horrified to hear of this ultimatum from Douglas' captors.


"Douglas is a warm man of generous heart and spirit. His work is to help the people of Iraq towards a better life.


"We do not believe Douglas' captivity, or this ultimatum, will make any difference to the policy of the Australian government.


"We appeal again to Douglas' captors to think of him as a brother, a father, a husband - not as goods to be cruelly treated - and to release him unharmed."



A first tape issued by the group which kidnapped Wood, a 63-year-old-engineer who lived in California, surfaced on Sunday.

- REUTERS