Australia should do more than complain.
Diplomatic fury over bombers
AUSTRALIA will complain to Indonesia after the nation's counter-terrorism chief hosted a party attended by one of the Bali bombers.
The anti-terror chief, Brigadier-General Surya Dharma, said the party was in line with a new "gentle" approach to fighting terrorism, which aims to build a web of informants and former militants to help persuade hard-liners to reject terrorism.
The news was greeted with fury and disgust by Australian bombing victims, with one labelling Indonesia a "laughing stock".
Prime Minister John Howard yesterday said he would ensure a formal complaint was lodged with Indonesia.
"I will certainly see that there is an objection communicated," Mr Howard said.
When asked for his reaction, Mr Howard said he was "absolutely disgusted".
Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd said the news was a "terrible blow" for victims.
Although the function was held last month, it was only made public on Wednesday.
"It's inappropriate and grossly insensitive and I think for those who are grieving today, it's doubly insensitive," Mr Rudd said.
In Sydney, Coogee Dolphins president Patrick Byrne, who lost six teammates in the bombings, said he continued to be disappointed "at the ongoing injustice" and hypocrisy in Indonesia.
He said Australia had donated a million dollars to tsunami relief "and then to see them purchase a billion dollars in military munitions from Russia during APEC, the continual reductions in sentencing and the constant threat of terrorism - hypocrisy running riot".
Gold Coast man Glenn Forster, who was injured in the blasts, said the Indonesian legal system had made the country look "ridiculous".
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Myanmar Ambassador Rejected By Austrialians
Good for the Austrialians. The pressure needs to be kept on the Myanmar Junta so they can't just on about business as usual. In a sane world the Diggers and other troops from free nations would be going in and sorting the Monk murdering Junta out once and for all.
Australia Rejects Myanmar Military Commander as New Ambassador
Australia refused a request by Myanmar for a military commander to be accredited as the new ambassador in Canberra.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer rejected the appointment of Brigadier General Thura U Thet Oo Maung in June because of the behavior of Myanmar's military government, the minister's spokesman Malcolm Cole said today.
``His appointment to the position would have been a political reward and he is very senior in the military,'' Cole said in an interview in Canberra. ``This is not the kind of person Australia would appoint as ambassador here.''
Myanmar's ruling junta last week sent soldiers onto the streets of Yangon, the former capital, to end the biggest anti- government protests in almost 20 years.
United Nations envoy Ibrahim Gambari met with Myanmar's detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and will hold talks with the country's top general Than Shwe today to try to persuade the government to end its crackdown.
The military has ruled the country formerly known as Burma since 1962.
Australia Rejects Myanmar Military Commander as New Ambassador
Australia refused a request by Myanmar for a military commander to be accredited as the new ambassador in Canberra.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer rejected the appointment of Brigadier General Thura U Thet Oo Maung in June because of the behavior of Myanmar's military government, the minister's spokesman Malcolm Cole said today.
``His appointment to the position would have been a political reward and he is very senior in the military,'' Cole said in an interview in Canberra. ``This is not the kind of person Australia would appoint as ambassador here.''
Myanmar's ruling junta last week sent soldiers onto the streets of Yangon, the former capital, to end the biggest anti- government protests in almost 20 years.
United Nations envoy Ibrahim Gambari met with Myanmar's detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and will hold talks with the country's top general Than Shwe today to try to persuade the government to end its crackdown.
The military has ruled the country formerly known as Burma since 1962.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Diggers Kick Taliban Ass in Duffy
Its good to see the Taliban getting exactly what they deserve.
DIGGERS DEFEAT TALIBAN ATTACK IN HEAVY FIGHTING
In their heaviest fighting to date, Australian soldiers with the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) in Afghanistan have successfully repelled a prolonged attack by approximately 50 Taliban extremists.
RTF Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Harry Jarvie, praised the skill and determination of his soldiers.
“Over the last few months Australian soldiers have been regularly tested by Taliban extremists. In every case they have performed magnificently.”
The failed attack was one of a number of decisive defeats suffered by the Taliban in Oruzgan Province and the neighbouring Helmand Province during the past week. The attack came as the RTF was conducting a reconnaissance mission for the construction of Afghan National Police outposts about eight kilometres north of Tarin Kowt.
Taliban extremists fired automatic weapons and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) at the Australian patrol from the cover of an orchard. The patrol immediately returned fire and then engaged in an intense confrontation with the Taliban during the next four hours.
Infantry Platoon Commander Lieutenant Glenn Neilson said the Taliban had established strong firing positions and were reinforced with more fighters as the attack progressed.
“We were engaged with some very accurate fire from a range of about 300m and there were a lot of bullets coming our way. Making use of all the weapons at our disposal, including the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) and Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle (IMV), we held our ground.”
The soldiers were also able to employ Dutch F16 fighter aircraft and Apache helicopters. Afghan National Army troops that were trained by Australian Forces in Oruzgan participated in the patrol and performed admirably.
“Together we neutralised the positions that were causing us trouble,” Lieutenant Neilson said.
Another Australian platoon supported the movement of RTF troops by providing essential covering fire as soldiers moved across hazardous open ground.
The Taliban are known to have suffered heavy casualties during the incident, but the ADF will not discuss specific details.
There were no civilian casualties resulting from this incident. No Australian soldiers were wounded, nor was there any damage to Australian vehicles.
DIGGERS DEFEAT TALIBAN ATTACK IN HEAVY FIGHTING
In their heaviest fighting to date, Australian soldiers with the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) in Afghanistan have successfully repelled a prolonged attack by approximately 50 Taliban extremists.
RTF Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Harry Jarvie, praised the skill and determination of his soldiers.
“Over the last few months Australian soldiers have been regularly tested by Taliban extremists. In every case they have performed magnificently.”
The failed attack was one of a number of decisive defeats suffered by the Taliban in Oruzgan Province and the neighbouring Helmand Province during the past week. The attack came as the RTF was conducting a reconnaissance mission for the construction of Afghan National Police outposts about eight kilometres north of Tarin Kowt.
Taliban extremists fired automatic weapons and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) at the Australian patrol from the cover of an orchard. The patrol immediately returned fire and then engaged in an intense confrontation with the Taliban during the next four hours.
Infantry Platoon Commander Lieutenant Glenn Neilson said the Taliban had established strong firing positions and were reinforced with more fighters as the attack progressed.
“We were engaged with some very accurate fire from a range of about 300m and there were a lot of bullets coming our way. Making use of all the weapons at our disposal, including the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) and Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle (IMV), we held our ground.”
The soldiers were also able to employ Dutch F16 fighter aircraft and Apache helicopters. Afghan National Army troops that were trained by Australian Forces in Oruzgan participated in the patrol and performed admirably.
“Together we neutralised the positions that were causing us trouble,” Lieutenant Neilson said.
Another Australian platoon supported the movement of RTF troops by providing essential covering fire as soldiers moved across hazardous open ground.
The Taliban are known to have suffered heavy casualties during the incident, but the ADF will not discuss specific details.
There were no civilian casualties resulting from this incident. No Australian soldiers were wounded, nor was there any damage to Australian vehicles.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
East Timor Protest
One of the beefs the Bali Bombers had against the Austrailians they killed was the Austrialian intervention during murderous rampage in East Timor back in 1999. The religious aspects of those killings have been completely ignored.
Protesters demand justice as East Timor probe closes
Protesters called yesterday for the disbanding of an Indonesia-East Timor commission looking into violence surrounding East Timor's 1999 independence vote, demanding justice for what happened.
The Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF), which was set up in 2005 by Indonesia and East Timor to promote reconciliation between the two neighbors, is holding a final round of hearings this week in East Timor.
But critics say that the commission, which is meant to uncover details of the violence and human rights abuses that occurred as East Timorese prepared to vote, is toothless because it lacks the power to punish those found responsible for abuses.
"We want justice," chanted about 70 members of student and rights groups as about 100 security personnel stood on standby.
"There is no tolerance for anyone intending to eradicate justice," read one banner, while another said: "Justice should go through the courts, not through compromise."
"The CTF only defends the criminals and stands in the way of justice," said Xisto da Costa, one of the protesters. "They don't hear the victims' voices."
The UN has strongly criticized the CTF and refused to send any of its officials to testify at several rounds of hearings, saying those guilty of rights violations should face justice.
"This hearing session is quite special, not only because it is the first time it is being held in Dili ... but also because this will be the last public hearing held by the commission," said Benjamin Mangkudilaga, the Indonesian co-chairman of the commission.
On Monday, the commission heard the testimony of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, who led the nation's fight against Indonesian rule and who spent seven years in jail in Jakarta.
Yesterday a former district chief told the commission that before the vote he had been asked by the Indonesian military to set up a militia to defend integration.
"We were trained by General Prabowo in Aileu and we had weapons," Tomas Gonsalves said, referring to the former head of the Indonesian military's special forces, Prabowo Subianto.
Gonsalves alleged that then-governor Abilio Soares, who died earlier this year, asked militia members to kill independence supporters and church leaders.
In the 1999 vote the East Timorese voted in favor of breaking away from Indonesia, leading to serious violence blamed on militias backed by the Indonesian military.
Protesters demand justice as East Timor probe closes
Protesters called yesterday for the disbanding of an Indonesia-East Timor commission looking into violence surrounding East Timor's 1999 independence vote, demanding justice for what happened.
The Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF), which was set up in 2005 by Indonesia and East Timor to promote reconciliation between the two neighbors, is holding a final round of hearings this week in East Timor.
But critics say that the commission, which is meant to uncover details of the violence and human rights abuses that occurred as East Timorese prepared to vote, is toothless because it lacks the power to punish those found responsible for abuses.
"We want justice," chanted about 70 members of student and rights groups as about 100 security personnel stood on standby.
"There is no tolerance for anyone intending to eradicate justice," read one banner, while another said: "Justice should go through the courts, not through compromise."
"The CTF only defends the criminals and stands in the way of justice," said Xisto da Costa, one of the protesters. "They don't hear the victims' voices."
The UN has strongly criticized the CTF and refused to send any of its officials to testify at several rounds of hearings, saying those guilty of rights violations should face justice.
"This hearing session is quite special, not only because it is the first time it is being held in Dili ... but also because this will be the last public hearing held by the commission," said Benjamin Mangkudilaga, the Indonesian co-chairman of the commission.
On Monday, the commission heard the testimony of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, who led the nation's fight against Indonesian rule and who spent seven years in jail in Jakarta.
Yesterday a former district chief told the commission that before the vote he had been asked by the Indonesian military to set up a militia to defend integration.
"We were trained by General Prabowo in Aileu and we had weapons," Tomas Gonsalves said, referring to the former head of the Indonesian military's special forces, Prabowo Subianto.
Gonsalves alleged that then-governor Abilio Soares, who died earlier this year, asked militia members to kill independence supporters and church leaders.
In the 1999 vote the East Timorese voted in favor of breaking away from Indonesia, leading to serious violence blamed on militias backed by the Indonesian military.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Sometimes When We Touch
He's free, he's not free. The honesty IS too much so now Mohamed Haneef and his Dan Hill Beard are not off the hook.Paper links Haneef to al-Qaida
FREED terror suspect Mohamed Haneef was regularly in contact with Islamic radicals under surveillance by Britain's top spy agency MI5.
And an Indian police file on Dr Haneef, completed after his arrest in Australia, says the Gold Coast doctor had alleged links to al-Qaida. But that so-called dossier, revealed on SBS TV last night, offered no evidence for its allegations.
It was also revealed ASIO had cleared Dr Haneef before Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews cancelled his visa.
Sources said the national spy agency couldn't find any evidence to justify an adverse security assessment against the Indian-born doctor.
Highly classified UK intelligence reveals Dr Haneef, still considered a person of interest by British and Australian officials, made contacts using medical chat rooms, international phone cards and phone boxes. It suggests this was to avoid detection and suspicion.
The leaked dossier, part of the information underpinning Mr Andrews's decision to revoke Dr Haneef's visa, alleges he spoke to a number of suspects about a "project" and a "purpose" before failed bombings in London and Glasgow
Click the title to read it all
Friday, July 27, 2007
Haneef Freed After Growing a Dan Hill Beard
Australia drops charges against HaneefAustralia has dropped all charges against Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef, who had been arrested in connection with the failed UK terror plot.A Brisbane court has cleared Haneef of all charges of abetment in the Glasgow car bombing.
Haneef had been detained in Brisbane on July 2 and was later arrested for assisting terrorists. Shortly after charges against him were dropped, Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions Damian Bugg, who had stepped in to review the case, said a mistake had been made and now they would further review what went wrong and how.
The doctor had been charged with providing a mobile SIM card to his cousins Sabeel and Kafeel Ahmed, who have also been accused in the case, but it was revealed the SIM card was found miles away from the scene of the Glasgow car bombing. The Australian police had faced strong criticism in Australia as well as India for slapping charges against Haneef on flimsy grounds.
So why exactly did he need to buy an Austrailian SIM card for his cousins in Scotland?
''We are happy Haneef is cleared of all charges. India will ask Australian government to provide visa to Haneef . Our first priority is to bring him back. Haneef can come back on regular visa or be deported,'' said E Ahamed, Minister of State for External Affairs. Haneef's lawyer, Peter Russo, said that if the charges were dropped, Kevin Andrews should reinstate Haneef's visa.
The honesty IS too much.
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