Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Nation's aviation industry on alert (Australia)
The Australian ^ | 12/03/02

Posted on 12/02/2002 5:48:16 PM PST by Heartlander2

A NEW security alert to the general aviation community has been issued – the third since September 11 – a spokesman for Transport Minister John Anderson confirmed today.

The alert was issued after Justice Minister Chris Ellison's warning of a general terrorist alert two weeks ago.

The aviation warnings have been issued to flight schools, crop dusting businesses, aerodromes and private airstrip operators.

"It's a broad upgrading of security and screening. It has been in place for a little while," the spokesman said.

"(It is) ... an alert to any suspicious behaviour.

"It's a general warning, not specific. We felt that post-Bali it was appropriate that it be sent out again."

The spokesman also confirmed compulsory photo identification for all pilots was likely to be in place early next year.

He said plans for general photo identification were being developed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in consultation with the industry, and were likely to be in place early in the new year.

Comprehensive baggage screening is still being considered by ministers.

Opposition Leader Simon Crean today questioned why it was necessary to introduce the tougher restrictions now, 15 months after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

"The Government said it was reviewing a whole lot of airport security but we find out 14 months later that there is no x-ray on baggage equipment," he said.

"What is it that now justifies us putting that in, that didn't 14 months ago?

"And the same with photo IDs for pilots.

"I mean, this is just another example of the Government wanting to be out there talking tough on the need to protect our citizens but not following up on the detail.

"This is a government that consistently mouths rhetoric and never follows through on the detail."


TOPICS: Breaking News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 12/02/2002 5:48:16 PM PST by Heartlander2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Heartlander2
This and the direct threat from Malaysia, We need to help them in finding and killing those responsible for these threats.
2 posted on 12/02/2002 5:54:13 PM PST by Mixer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mixer
I wonder if Australia's gun ban also has something to do with this. It's a lot easier to work in a defenseless environment...
3 posted on 12/02/2002 6:06:56 PM PST by bootless
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: bootless
That is a possibility. Think of all of the disasters that could have been avoided, 911 included, if we had armed citizens, or even armed pilots, on those airplanes. How many bank robberies do you think there would be if the robbers thoight they might come up against an armed customer or teller?
4 posted on 12/02/2002 6:14:58 PM PST by Mixer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

Comment #5 Removed by Moderator

To: Mixer
Which direct threat from Malaysia?
6 posted on 12/02/2002 6:43:00 PM PST by bobi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: bobi
Raids Will Mean War, Australia Is Warned (Malaysia)
7 posted on 12/02/2002 6:54:57 PM PST by Mixer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Mixer
well why would Australia want to raid Malaysia?
8 posted on 12/02/2002 7:19:24 PM PST by bobi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Mixer
Hmm... might be some interesting geographic profiling. The sniper attacks were mainly in gun-free Maryland. England, unfortunately, has that problem and a huge Muslim population.
9 posted on 12/02/2002 7:36:12 PM PST by bootless
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Heartlander2
You know what puzzles me? Take all these malcontent Muslims throughout the world. In Palestine, Kashmir, Pakistan, Indonesia, Outer Phillipines, all over Europe. Why is there not a mini 9/11 going off at least once a week, hell every other day? They certainly have the foot soldiers. They have the arms. They have their "motivation" . As we saw in Kenya, its not that tough to attempt or even pull off though with varying degrees of success. I do not think the security is stopping it. Look how long the Beltland Sniper incident went on when we were at Orange alert. These people could light up Europe in an afternoon. Just something I cannot figure out why it is so piece meal.
10 posted on 12/02/2002 9:29:53 PM PST by L`enn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: L`enn
When did you see yr average Muslim break sweat? Plenty of bros in UK but you don't see them laying bricks, mixing cement, hauling timber, DIGGING FIELDS, PICKING CROPS, they'll sit at a till 24/7 in a nickel and dime (so long as they own it). The biggest thing they heave around is k's of C.

Plenty of chiefs, v. few Indians....."..HOLD ME BACK BEFORE I HIT HIM...."
11 posted on 12/03/2002 2:12:44 AM PST by unending thunder
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: bobi
well why would Australia want to raid Malaysia?

The idea is that Malaysia supports terrorism and they are openly admitting it. They are telling Australia that if they try to seek out terrorists in their land that they will consider it an act of war.

12 posted on 12/03/2002 7:18:01 AM PST by Mixer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: bootless
The sniper attacks were mainly in gun-free Maryland.

I live in NJ and beleive me if there were to be sniper attacks based on crappy gun laws it would be here ; )

13 posted on 12/03/2002 7:20:01 AM PST by Mixer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: bobi; Mixer
<< Well, why would Australia want to raid Malaysia? >>

The Malaysian "government" is a institutionalized-racism-based criminal organization, its "prime minister" an overtly envy-motivated and hatred and rage-driven racist psychopath, liar, looter and thief -- and the country is host to an continual stream of countless Arab, Pakistani and Indonesian islamanazi terrorists.

Just for starters.
14 posted on 12/03/2002 2:09:34 PM PST by Brian Allen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Mixer
Yeah but you see labeling one country a terrorist state seems to be a perfect justification for invasion.

I am not saying that AU will on purpose invade Malaysia or any other state.

But other contries like United States will make use of any excuse to invade someone.

By the way the statement of defending its own territory is not an admission to hosting terrorist. You might think that Malaysia being one that raises the concern of Australian strike things that it is on the strike plan.

Malaysia is a threat you know why? It is the more modern Muslim country in the region and it is not backward. Anyway sooner or later there will be a conflict with them not for religeous reasons but because of water resources.

15 posted on 12/03/2002 2:31:59 PM PST by bobi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: bobi
Any Australian military action against terrorists on his territory would lead to war

That is from the original article.

By the way the statement of defending its own territory is not an admission to hosting terrorist.

That is your reply....

The threat states that any attack against terrorists, not the territory itself, would lead to war. They are saying do not come here looking for terrorists. This is protection and this is support. However else you choose to translate it is just a spin on the statement.

But other contries like United States will make use of any excuse to invade someone.

If you are going to make such a blantant anti-American statement like this please provide an example that validates it.

16 posted on 12/03/2002 5:00:00 PM PST by Mixer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Mixer
Yugoslavia for starts.
17 posted on 12/03/2002 5:11:12 PM PST by bobi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: bobi
Yugoslavia for starts.

Details please???

Also, if you don't mind, I would sure love to hear your reply to my comments about what you read in the previous article and what is atually written. I am sure you are aware of the spin you put on it. I would like to know how you defend it....

18 posted on 12/03/2002 5:37:43 PM PST by Mixer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Mixer
As far as I am concerned Yugoslavia was invaded by NATO and specifically United States in 1999. Even before 1999 the ground work was laid through cladistine operations and support of terrorist groups.

That is my opinion which I have to admit is biased as I was born in Macedonia and living in Australia now.

In 2001 the same groups that fought the war in Kosovo, Yugoslavia were used to start a war in Macedonia with American support. Once again my opinion is biased.

Now if I tried to put a spin on an article (this one here or the one where Malaysia sais raids would mean war) then I am sorry as I did not intent to spin it.

I am not sure if you understand what a raid in a foreign country means and what it is involved. Then the method of the raid. Is it going to be a cruise missile strike (which Australia does not have I think) or a laser bomb strike or using the SAS.

What ever it is it will result in civilian casualties. That can be called collateral damage but considering that the terrorist (or the potential terrorist, Howard sais even planning terrorism justifies a strike) are executed before judged then that brings up so many legal issues. What about countries infrastructure. What about the damage? Is there compensation?

Lets say terrorism itself because of its nature should not be judged using the same old legal laws and they forefieth the right to be presumed innocent before executed. Lets forget about legal issues.

Is the target country going to be informed before the strike or not. So if it is, then the terrorist might be tipped off or if not, how the the countries defences know that this is an Australian anti-terrorist strike or some other nation attacking. So do they defend or sit still until the air clears. If so then they do not have right to self-defence until given that right by the higher powers. (that happend in Macedonia).

There are so many issues that one can write an essay on it.

It is my opinion that any strike in the neighbouring countries can only be or mean a precurser to a wider campaign by the Australian military to weaken the un-friendly regimes (democratic or not, muslim or not) in the region and that is how Howards statement is seen overthere.

19 posted on 12/03/2002 7:22:27 PM PST by bobi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: bobi
I am not sure if you understand what a raid in a foreign country means and what it is involved.

I wasn't fully aware and thanks for explaning it.

Now if I tried to put a spin on an article (this one here or the one where Malaysia sais raids would mean war) then I am sorry as I did not intent to spin it.

No problem...I am sorry I was so quick to attack you for it.Thanks for clearing things up.

20 posted on 12/04/2002 12:21:44 PM PST by Mixer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson