Fed: Minister stops short of apology over Kovco body bungle=2

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2006
Fed: Minister stops short of apology over Kovco body bungle=2

Private KOVCO accidentally shot himself in the head in Baghdad last Friday .. while
cleaning his pistol.

His family was due to meet his body at the airport shortly after midnight .. ahead
of a funeral with full military honours.

But Mr NELSON says Private KOVCO'S body is still in Kuwait .. with the federal government
now considering a private charter to bring him home.

Dr NELSON flew to Sale in Victoria's east early today to tell Private KOVCO's wife
SHELLEY in person of the debacle.

She asked to speak to Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD .. who was woken about 11 pm so she
could express her anger.

Dr NELSON says a senior defence force official and an independent pathologist will
be despatched to the Middle East next week to investigate the mistake.

AAP RTV cmb/gfr/rt

KEYWORD: KOVCO BODY 2 MELBOURNE

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