All Australians accounted for in Iraq: Downer

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2004

SYDNEY (AFP) — Australia has accounted for all its nationals known to be working in Iraq following a claim by a radical Islamic group to have kidnapped two Australians, Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer said.

"At this stage we can find no evidence that any Australians are missing or have been kidnapped, but nevertheless we've got to be cautious in what we say because further information could turn up as the day goes on," Downer said.

He said the Australian embassy in Baghdad had accounted for all 88 civilian Australians registered with it.

"We have also checked with four companies that we know employ Australians and those companies have all accounted for the Australians," Downer said in a television interview.

"There is, though, one of those...