Fed: Tinsel and puddings add touch of Xmas for Aust troops

AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-2004
Fed: Tinsel and puddings add touch of Xmas for Aust troops

It will be business as usual for the 900 Australian troops in Iraq this Christmas Day,
but there will be a touch of tinsel and some puddings to enjoy.

Middle East Task Force commander Air Commodore GREG EVANS says troops will celebrate
the occasion between their regular duties.

He's told the Nine Network that while troops will gather for Christmas lunch, it's
not the same as being home in Australia.

However, the great Australian tradition of spending a lazy Boxing Day watching the
cricket will be adhered to in Iraq.

But Christmas for the troops is also tinged with sadness following the death of about
22 people after a suicide bomb attack at a US base in the Iraqi city of Mosul.

AAP RTV bt/jo

KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST TROOPS (CANBERRA)

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