Mrs MOYLAN (2:02 PM) —My question is addressed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Would the minister inform the House of the government's response to the appalling terror attacks overnight in Iraq and Pakistan?

Mr DOWNER (Minister for Foreign Affairs) —I thank the honourable member for her question. She visited Baghdad with me in May last year and has had an ongoing interest in, particularly, the human rights and humanitarian situation in Iraq, both before and since the war. In response to the atrocities that have been committed by terrorists in both Iraq and Pakistan, the government has one message: terrorists will not be allowed to win. We condemn the vicious attacks against Shiite worshippers on the holiest day in the Shiah calendar, attacks which occurred in both Iraq and Pakistan. Let me take this opportunity to extend our condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. At this stage it is unclear who the perpetrators of these attacks were, but one thing is certain: these terrorists are as much an enemy of moderate Islam and Muslims as they are an enemy of the West and Western countries. It is very important that people understand that. Here is almost certainly another example of Islamic fundamentalist terrorists attacking Muslims on one of their holiest, most sacred days.

The people and leaders of Iraq and Pakistan are going to have our full support in the efforts they make to wage war against terrorists. I met with General Musharraf, the President of Pakistan, in January in Davos, and I took the opportunity to reiterate the Australian government's view that we hope that he will continue to do all he can against terrorist organisations, particularly those operating along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. He told me at the time that Pakistan would be doing more to address that problem than had been the case, and he has been true to his word. The Iraqi foreign minister in January told me—and I think this is an important point for people to understand—that the ordinary Iraqi people were increasingly angered by foreign terrorist activities in Iraq. What has happened in Iraq over the last day will only consolidate the view of the Iraqi people that these terrorists have to be defeated. It is only appropriate that a country like Australia should join with our allies and our friends in fighting terrorism wherever we can and wherever it occurs, including in both Iraq and Pakistan.