Terrorists Will Use Any Excuse to Justify Barbaric Behavior, Australian PM Says

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 5/13/04 | Patrick Goodenough

[kattracks]

Pacific Rim Bureau (CNSNews.com) - Australian Prime Minister John Howard has rejected the notion that the decapitation of a young American by Iraqi terrorists was in retaliation for recent revelations that some Iraqi prisoners in U.S. military custody had been abused.

"This kind of depraved behavior by terrorists has been going on for years," Howard told Australia's channel nine television.

Philadelphia native Nick Berg was beheaded by terrorists and a video clip of the murder carried Tuesday on the website of the al Qaeda-linked Muntada al-Ansar group. An accompanying message said the killing was a reprisal for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners.

Asked whether he worried that terrorists would use the prisoner abuse scandal as an excuse to carry out "even worse" acts, Howard said he thought they would "opportunistically" use any excuse to try to justify their actions.

But the prime minister said he did not believe the atrocities would force the U.S. to pull out, and they would not force Australia to withdraw its troops from Iraq either.

"We're not going to walk away from our responsibilities...you cannot give in to this kind of behavior because it will spread," he said.

"Anybody who imagines that you buy immunity by giving in is defying all of history. People like this will always pursue you, and if you show weakness, they're likely to pursue you even more."

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[SoCalConservative]

Australia = Solid Friend of USA

[mitch5501]

"Anybody who imagines that you buy immunity by giving in is defying all of history. People like this will always pursue you, and if you show weakness, they're likely to pursue you even more."

Thankfully Mr Howard gets it.

[MEG33]

He is a bright spot in a sea of liberal Aussie press.

[Kackikat]

I love this man! He is the most intelligent man in politics today....

[jmstein7]

BUMP!

[MEG33]

He took the heat for his stand...I always have appreciated his support.

[mitch5501]

you sure got that right!

The media here in Oz is as liberal as they come.

[Puppage]

Terrorists Will Use Any Excuse to Justify Barbaric Behavior, Australian PM Says

Thank You, Captain Obvious

[Corporate Law]

I like Australia more and more each day, and I have always liked Australia.

[MEG33]

I got a good dose after some of the Bali bombing columns...Margot Kingston seemed to want to understand root causes...I looked back and followed later on. I think Philip Adams is a name burned in my memory.

[bra]

"This kind of depraved behavior by terrorists has been going on for years," Howard told Australia's channel nine television.

Over 1000 years would be more accurate. This barbarous behavior has been directed and supported by the so called prophet.

[Arpege92]

I agree....Australia is a solid friend of the USA!

[AmericanChef]

-"Asked whether he worried that terrorists would use the prisoner abuse scandal as an excuse to carry out "even worse" acts, Howard said he thought they would "opportunistically" use any excuse to try to justify their actions."-

That's why creeps like CBS should be dealt with in terms of treason.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

The more I hear about the Aussies, the more I like them. If I get the chance to travel outside the U.S. Australia will be one of my biggest choices. It sounds like they are good people.

[mitch5501]

Only today I watched General Kimmit being interviewed on 'Dateline'.The interviewer used the word "torture" (in referring to Iraqi prisoner abuse) so many times it looked as though Kimmit wanted to thump him!

A great many Australians value very highly our alliance with America and are thankfull we at present have a leader who reflects that.

However...turn on the tv or radio here and you'd be hard pressed to see it.The media here,for the most part,make us look almost 'french'

God bless America

[mitch5501]

"Thank You, Captain Obvious"

It might be obvious to some but to so many it needs repeating long and loud till it sinks in...mate.

[MEG33]

It doesn't sink in in liberal America either. We just need to be diplomatic, arrest the terrorists and be nicer to the sensitivities of the arabs..I fear for our nation if Kerry becomes President.

[nmh]

Yup:

"People like this will always pursue you, and if you show weakness, they're likely to pursue you even more."

That is WHY we can't back down and must DEFEAT them.

[ought-six]

Thank God for the Aussies!