Fed: Private contractors blamed for Kovco bungle

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2006
Fed: Private contractors blamed for Kovco bungle

The government's blaming private contractors for a major bungle .. in which the body
of an Australian soldier killed in Iraq has been left in Kuwait .. and the wrong casket
flown to Australia.

And Defence Minister BRENDAN NELSON says the distressed widow of Private JAKE KOVCO
gave JOHN HOWARD an earful over the bungle in a late night phone call.

Dr NELSON says a private mortuary in Kuwait and contractor appear to be responsible
for the mix-up.

The 25-year-old's body remains in a civilian mortuary in Kuwait .. with the federal
government now considering chartering a private plane to bring him home.

Private KOVCO's body's not expected to be returned to his family until early Saturday.

But Dr NELSON has stopped short of apologising for the bungle on behalf of the federal
government.







The defence department says Private KOVCO accidentally killed himself with his own
pistol in his room in Baghdad last Friday.

His body was due to arrive at Melbourne airport early today ahead of a funeral with
full military honours.

The identity of the body mistakenly flown to Melbourne airport has not been revealed.

AAP RTV ce/jrd/gfr/sp/jv/rt

KEYWORD: KOVCO BODY (MELBOURNE)

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