FED: Fraser heads to Russia to help free aid workers

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-1999
FED: Fraser heads to Russia to help free aid workers

Former Prime Minister MALCOLM FRASER is flying to Russia tonight in a bid to win support
for the release of two Australian aid workers being held in Yugoslavia.

Mr FRASER, who is the chairman of CARE Australia, hopes to meet Russian Prime Minister
YEVGENY PRIMAKOV, and other officials to free Australians STEVE PRATT and PETER WALLACE.

They have been held by Serb authorities since March 31.

Mr PRATT has appeared on Serbian television confessing to be a spy for NATO.

Russia is one of the few nations to support Yugoslavia and condemn the NATO bombing.

Australian diplomats have already sought the support of Russia to help free the two men.

But CARE'S Emergency Co-ordinator for Yugoslavia BRIAN DOOLAN says Mr FRASER hopes to use
his standing and personal contacts to open more doors.

Mr FRASER had earlier offered to travel to Yugoslavia, but had been vetoed by the federal
government.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is assisting with Mr FRASER'S visit.



Mr FRASER flies from London to Moscow at 10.30pm AEST.

AAP RTV ss/lw

KEYWORD: KOSOVO CARE FRASER (CANBERRA)

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