Alexander Downer

The Tawhid Islamic Group issued the warning to the Australian government in an online statement posted July 24, following similar threats against Bulgaria, Poland and Italy.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Islamic militants have taken heart from Spain's withdrawal of its troops from Iraq after the Madrid bombings in March and the Philippines' decision to pull out early to secure the release of a Filipino hostage.

"It's very important that we send a strong message that we will not be threatened by terrorist groups," Downer told Nine Network television.

Downer said that because the Philippines complied with Iraqi militants' demands to secure the release of Angela de la Cruz, six more civilians were taken hostage.

"If we cave in to terrorists and withdraw our troops because terrorists demand that we should withdraw our troops, then our foreign policy, our international relationships will be determined by terrorists and in future we'll leave ourselves very vulnerable to further demands."

The Japan Times Weekly: July 31, 2004
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