Hopes rise for Iraq kidnap victim
(CNN) -- The Australian government is trying Wednesday to confirm reports that Australian Douglas Wood, being held hostage in Iraq, could be freed by his kidnappers in 24 hours.
Prime Minister John Howard said he hoped reports of Wood's imminent release were correct, but added the reports needed to be treated cautiously.
Howard confirmed that Australian Islamic spiritual leader Sheik Taj Din al-Hilaly had told Australian embassy staff in Iraq that Wood could be freed Wednesday.
"We have to treat it with a bit of caution. He has reported that to our people in Baghdad," Howard told Australia's Southern Cross radio.
"We would all hope that it's right, but we would also be aware in a situation like this there are always people who may represent things -- I don't mean the Sheik -- others who may be representing to him things that are not correct."
Wood, a 63-year-old engineer, has been held captive by Islamic militants, claiming to be the Shura Council of the Mujahideen of Iraq, since the end of last month.
The last official word from the kidnappers was received via a DVD more than a week ago, which showed Woods beaten and with his head shaved.
SBS radio journalist Majida Abboud-Saab said the Sheik told her he received a phone call from an anonymous man who claimed to represent the kidnappers.
"They said that they were willing to release Douglas Wood, however, they are not willing to release the other two Iraqis," she told Southern Cross radio.
"They are not placing any conditions on his release," she said.
Parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs and trade Bruce Billson said the government was trying to confirm the reports.
"Our information is that we've seen those reports and we're having our officials try and liaise with the Sheik on the ground," he told Australia's ABC radio.
"The news is certainly encouraging although it's unconfirmed, and we're making efforts to establish the veracity of that information," Billson said.
The hostages had not given any indication of what would happen to Wood if their demands for the withdrawl of Australian troops from Iraq were not carried out.
The Australian Government has repeatedly said it would not give into the demand and withdraw troops or pay a ransom, but Howard backed moves by Wood's family to offer a charitable donation to the people of Iraq.
Australia sent about 2000 troops to take part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq but reduced that contingent to about 950 after the ousting of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
However it announced plans in February to send another 450 troops to help train Iraqi security forces and guard a Japanese engineering contingent working on reconstruction projects.
Howard's decision to take part in the war was not popular, but voters returned his center-right coalition to power in September, and rejected an opposition candidate who had promised to withdraw if elected.
