Fed: PM says defence minister asked for prisoner report

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2004
Fed: PM says defence minister asked for prisoner report

CANBERRA, Aug 27 AAP - Defence Minister Robert Hill has been asked to provide a briefing
on the latest allegations of Australian links to abuse of prisoners in Iraq, Prime Minister
John Howard said today.

Mr Howard said he wouldn't comment on the claims until seeing that report.

"I have spoken to Senator Hill about or my office has and he is getting a full briefing
from the defence department on these American reports," he told ABC radio in Tasmania.

"Until we have that we won't be saying anything. We will just find out precisely what
is involved and that will happen soon and then Senator Hill will have something to say."

Mr Howard refused to comment on claims that the government barred Australian army
lawyer Major George O'Kane from giving evidence to a Senate inquiry for political reasons.

"We have sought a briefing on this report and until we have got a briefing we are not
saying anything further," he said.

A US Army report released overnight censured Maj O'Kane for responding inadequately
to Red Cross warnings about abuses at Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad.

Maj O'Kane was stationed at coalition military headquarters in Baghdad last year and
was responsible for liaising with the Red Cross over complaints about abuses of prisoners
by US personnel.

The US found he glossed over Red Cross concerns almost to the point of denying the
humiliation and abuse identified.

He also failed to respond to written questions in time.

AAP mb/lb/de

KEYWORD: IRAQ PRISONERS HOWARD

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