Australia’s government refused to release information on a terror suspect held by the United States for fear of harming relations with Washington, the defense minister said Monday. The Australian newspaper filed a Freedom of Information request with the government for details on the legality of David Hicks’ detention but was denied. Hicks, 27, was allegedly captured fighting with the Taliban in Afghanistan and has been imprisoned without charge at Guantanamo Bay for 18 months. Defense Minister Robert Hill said the government can refuse a Freedom of Information request if it could harm Australia’s relationship with a foreign government. ``As I understand it, that’s one of the reasons why the application has been declined,’’ Hill told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio. Australia has been one of Washington’s closest allies since long before the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, sending troops to the U.S.-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Australian officials have said they are satisfied with the legal process followed by the U.S. military in regard to Hicks and a second Australian — Mamdouh Habib, 46 — arrested last year in Pakistan for allegedly training with al-Qaida and also held at the U.S. base in Cuba. However, the government is under pressure from opposition parties, church and human rights groups to lodge a stronger protest with Washington. The United States agreed last week to temporarily suspend legal action against Hicks and two British citizens held at Guantanamo Bay. The three were among six men set to face military tribunals as ``enemy combatants’’ against the United States.
Brit trials will move forward soon. Wonder if Hicks will follow shortly thereafter? |