Pictures of a distressed Mr Wood - grabbed from a videotape released by his kidnappers at the weekend - dominate front pages across the continent.

But the editorials are firm in their support for Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who has vowed not to negotiate with Mr Wood's captors.

Sydney's The Australian acknowledges that "all Australians' hearts go out to Mr Wood and his family, both here and in the US."

But the paper says Mr Howard cannot give in.

"We must not allow our sympathy and concern for a fellow Australian in dire need to compromise our logic or our resolve to complete the work we have started in Iraq.

"The Howard government has done the right thing by sending an expert team to Iraq to attempt to negotiate Mr Wood's release, but there must be no question of ransom and no compromise of our foreign policy," it says.

The Australian government and its citizens obviously know the severity of the situation, and indeed, they have a strong personal connection in the case. Despite the overwhelmingly emotions they must be feeling, they have not lost sight of the ultimate goal, fulling realizing that Australia can not back down from their foreign policy, and not submit to ransom. They are a role model to other countries. The support of the Australian citizens is also quite astounding--it's too bad many American citizens don't share in their courage when Americans have been taken hostage. Perhaps they have a few things to learn from the citizens of Australia.

There is no doubt this is a terrible thing to endure, for the family of Douglas Wood, Australia, and all people who believe in freedom. Australia is not backing down--that is the only way to show these terrorists in Iraq who wish to kidnap people who are only there working to help the Iraqi people.

Thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Douglas Wood.