Journo's comments on hostages 'appalling': Downer

[DuctapeFatwa]

Kidnapped Australian journalist John Martinkus was attacked today by Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and former hostage Steve Pratt for appearing to say that Iraqi terrorists had a reason to kill some hostages.

Mr Martinkus, who was kidnapped and interrogated for more than 20 hours in Baghdad before being freed last weekend, sparked outrage when he said of his captors:"(From their perspective) there was a reason to kill (British hostage Ken) Bigley, there was a reason to kill the Americans; there was not a reason to kill me (and) luckily I managed to convince them of that."

Mr Downer said today it was pretty much the most appalling thing any Australian had said about the Iraq war.

He accused Mr Martinkus of giving comfort to terrorists by saying that their actions were understandable.

"I just could not believe he said those things, I was just appalled," Mr Downer told Melbourne radio 3AW.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/21/1098316772088.html?oneclick=true

[Matilda]

1. Alexander Downer is easily appalled, disgusted, and flabbergasted

by anyone who doesn't regurgitate the official Liberal Party lies.

Pompous ass.

[saigon68]

2. Don't know him well

Its fascinating to see the Australians in this war, especially when almost everyone else has washed their hands of it.

I guess the old AnZac spirit is alive and well.

[no safe haven]

3. The anzac spirit is a national obsession

The US had its revolutionary war to get rid of the Brit yolk, us Aussies had Gallipoli in WWI, where the Anzac spirit was created. Long story short – it got the Brits off our backs as far who runs our military. The Brit command treated the Australians so badly during that campaign, that we told the Brits to fuck off. Point of national pride and all that, rid ourselves of colonial rule once and for all. Ironically, Australia has leapt into just about every war that’s been on offer from then on, in support of either GB, USA or NATO. :shrug:

[bemildred]

4. Yeah, I'll just bet he's appalled. This sort of candor could spread. nt

[rooboy]

5. You need to know that Alexander Downer is a maggot. n/t