Fed: DFAT warns human shields over Iraq

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Fed: DFAT warns human shields over Iraq

CANBERRA, Feb 14 AAP - Australians planning to become human shields in Iraq were todaywarned they may not be evacuated if war broke out.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said its ability to help any Australiancivilian wanting to leave Iraq during military conflict was very limited.

"We appeal to the commonsense of individuals not to do this," an official told a senateestimates committee in response to a question by Labor senator John Faulkner.

"If there was an Australian there as a human shield, then presumably that person isintent on remaining when conflict begins ... if they change their mind and said `I'm sorryI made a terrible mistake, get me out', we would obviously do what we could to get theindividual out.

"But it has to be understood that our ability to assist in those circumstances wouldbe very, very limited and that is a point we need to reinforce."

A former political adviser to the NSW government, Donna Mulhearn, has left Australiato join other so-called "human shields" opposed to any US-led invasion of Iraq.

The human shield project has been organised by anti-war organisation Become the Change.

Australians currently in Iraq with the United Nations would be covered by UN evacuationplans in the event of military conflict, the DFAT official said.

AAP sb/cd/de E

KEYWORD: IRAQ SHIELD DFAT