Fed: Downer stops short of condemning Hamas killing

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2004
Fed: Downer stops short of condemning Hamas killing

The Australian Greens and Palestine's representative in Australia are urging the government
to take a stronger stance against Israel's assassination of Hamas leader ABDEL-AZIZ AL-RANTISSI.

Foreign Minister ALEXANDER DOWNER has described the assassination as regrettable, saying
it will inflame tensions in the Middle East.

But Mr DOWNER has stopped short of condemning the killing, saying Hamas is a terrorist
organisation targeting Israeli civilians.

The Israeli army has confirmed it killed RANTISSI in an air strike on his car in Gaza City.

Israel also killed the previous Hamas spiritual head AHMED YASSIN in Gaza on March the 22nd.

The Australian Greens and Palestine's representative in Australia are urging the government
to take a stronger stance as Hamas vows to take revenge 100 times over.

AAP RTV kmh/lm/lma/psm/

KEYWORD: MIDEAST AUST (CANBERRA)

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