ABC (Australia): Hicks could be home this year, says Downer

[Eugene]

Last Update: Sunday, February 18, 2007. 1:35pm (AEDT)

Hicks could be home this year, says Downer

The Federal Government is confident that Guantanamo Bay detainee, David Hicks,
will be back in Australia by the end of the year.

It is reported that the Prime Minister is working to bring Hicks home before this
year's federal election.

-snip-

The Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, says it is not about the election.

-snip-

"Either to serve in a prison in Australia or just to be released, depending on the
result of the trial."

-snip-

Full article: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200702/s1850591.htm

[IndianaGreen]

1. I hope Hicks is released from the concentration camp at Guantanamo

and returns to his native Australia. John Howard's shameful role in abandoning an Australian citizen and leaving him in the hands of American torturers is one of the many instances in which Australian interests were put secondary to those of the Bush dictatorship.

[struggle4progress]

2. Deal reached over Australian detainee at Guantánamo (IHT)

By Tim Johnston
Published: February 18, 2007

... Hicks's U.S. military lawyer, Major Michael Mori, has attacked both the process and the charges. "After five years in Guantánamo, David has no hope of facing a fair trial which would have been provided to an American," Mori said.

"Still attempted murder is being charged against David even though the U.S. prosecutors admit David did not shoot at anyone," he said.

"The material support charge has never existed in the laws of war and was created in 2006 which is being applied retrospectively to David even though Australian ministers have said that is inappropriate." ...

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/18/news/australia.php

[Matilda]

3. Not much it hasn't to do with the election.

Howard and Downer are facing an increasingly angry public over Hicks' detention.

Neither is it good enough that Hicks should be allowed to stand before a kangaroo court before being
repatriated. And Howard's a lawyer - sure wouldn't want him on my side.

The fake charge of attempted murder isn't based on fact, it means only that if Hicks had been present
in Afghanistan at a time when American soldiers faced the Taliban troops, he most likely would have
pulled a trigger. And as hearsay evidence is acceptable, they only need to find somebody who - no
doubt in hope of a reward - will say that Hicks told him that's what he'd do. I don't think even
the Soviets ever came up with anything like this.

The Pentagon is just making this up as they go along, and it's shaming and embarrassing for Australia
that our so-called leader is such a subservient little toad.