Posted on 07/19/2014 2:00:58 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has attacked Russia over the tragedy in Ukraine, stopping just short of accusing Moscow of involvement in the shooting down of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17.
In comments which go further than those of other world leaders, an angry Mr Abbott said Russia should not be able to stand in the way of a full, independent investigation.
“I want to stress that Australia takes a very dim view of countries which are facilitating the killing of Australian citizens,’’ he said.
“I want to say to the Australian people that as far as I am concerned, when you have a situation where Russian-backed rebels appear to have killed Australians using — it may well turn out to be — Russian-supplied heavy weaponry, Australia takes a very dim view indeed, and we want the fullest possible investigation.’’
Mr Abbott said any country found to have supplied such sophisticated weaponry to those behind the attacks should “feel a sense of shame.”
Hinting that Russian President Vladimir Putin might not be welcome at the G20 meeting of world leaders in Australia in November, Mr Abbott said it was vital that Russia co-operate completely with any international investigation.
“No provocation, no excuses, no blame-shifting, no protecting of people who may be backed by Russia but who may have been involved in this terrible event,’’ he said, adding that questions about whether Mr Putin was welcome as G20 were “very fair questions.’’
The Government has assigned a team of consular officials to assist the grieving families of the MH17 victims, and the Australian Federal Police and other officials are heading to the Ukrainian capital Kiev.
Flags will fly at half-mast today across Australian Government sites here and overseas, and a church service, attended by the Prime Minister and Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, will be held tomorrow in Sydney.
A national commemorative service and day of mourning will be held on a date yet to be determined.
The horrific downing of MH17 has focused world attention on the tense situation in Ukraine, parts of which have been taken over by pro-Russian separatists, who have been shooting planes from the sky for several months.
The Government yesterday convened a meeting of the National Security Committee, and Russia’s Ambassador to Australia, Vladimir Morozov, was summoned to a meeting with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
Mr Abbott later criticising the ambassador for seeking to blame Ukraine for the disaster.
“I have to say that is deeply, deeply unsatisfactory. The idea that Russia can somehow say it’s nothing to do with them because it happened in Ukrainian airspace frankly does not stand up to any serious scrutiny,’’ he said.
The United Nations Security Council had called an urgent meeting overnight to discuss the global response to the tragedy, which Mr Abbott said was a crime and not an accident.
“If so, the perpetrators must be brought to justice,’’ he told Parliament.
“Australia will be working at the United Nations Security Council for a binding resolution calling for a full and impartial investigation with full access to the site, with full access to the debris, with full access to the black box, and with full access to all individuals who might be in a position to shed light on this terrible event.’’
United States President Barack Obama said the “world is watching’’ the situation in Ukraine.
He had imposed broad economic sanctions on Russia just 24 hours before the strike on MH17, and was on the phone to Mr Putin when word of the attack came in.
Mr Putin sought to blame Ukraine for the tragedy, saying the “state over whose territory this occurred bears responsibility for this awful tragedy.’’
He said the MH17 crash was “an absolutely unacceptable thing’’ and pledged the help of the Russian Government and civilian agencies to investigate — an offer deemed unsatisfactory by Mr Abbott.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said those on board the flight had been murdered, and he pledged bipartisan support as the Government worked towards an investigation.
“The missile that brought down MH17 — and the missiles that have claimed numerous other Ukrainian aircraft — could not possibly have been made by the people who possibly fired them,’’ he said.
“These separatist terrorists are obtaining these instruments for murder from elsewhere. This must be investigated and it must be stopped.’’
Putin ordereed unlawful warfare in Ukraine. Now there are another 300 people dead because of that. It makes no difference what the intended target was when Russia blew up that aircraft. Those people would be alive today had Putin not started killing people in Ukraine many months ago.
Why are you asking for proof? Russian GRU Colonel Strelkov, commander of the “rebels” already claimed credit for this atrocity.
We have a major disconnect, you and I. I shall bother you no further. Believe as you will.
Putinists are back on their feet and really getting on message. Sick.
Be patient. We know only half of what the pigs have done.
You were no bother. And no offense meant just talkin’. Have a good evening.
It just occurred to me that zero has never ordered flags lowered half-mast for anything, ever.
He had them half mast for that singer didn’t he?
Hello !,,,,,,
Putin , you know the KGB officier stole the black boxes from the crime scence abd sent them to Moscow !
And you think the KGB dictator stole these boxes from the Ukraine to help the investigation ?...
Who are you trying to fool here!
These Putin groupies are KGB collaborators .
Its bizarre .
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