Protesters stop Australian warship leaving for Iraq

Reuters | 4/07/03

[kattracks]

Protesters stop Australian warship leaving for Iraq

SYDNEY, April 8 (Reuters) - Anti-war protesters stopped an Australian warship on Tuesday leaving Sydney Harbour for Iraq by attaching themselves to the ship with mountain climbing gear and laying an underwater object in front of the vessel.

Despite Australia being on heightened security post-September 11 and the Bali bombings, protesters surprised water police as the guided-missile frigate HMAS Sydney steamed towards the entrance to Sydney Harbour.

Television footage showed one protester attaching themselves to the bow of the ship and unfurled a "No War" banner, while another hooked on to the stern after two small boats carrying protesters broke through a water police cordon.

Police played cat and mouse with another inflatable boat of protesters.

But halfway to the heads that mark the entrance of the harbour HMAS Sydney stopped and sat dead in the water. Media reports said protesters had laid an underwater cable or possibly a fishing net in front of the ship.

The ship was forced to reverse at one stage and it was unclear whether it would continue on its journey.

Greenpeace said in a statement it had stopped HMAS Sydney leaving by using a flotilla of yachts, small craft, swimmers and divers.

"The best contribution Australia can make to peace would be to withdraw all armed forces from Iraq now," said Greenpeace Executive Director Peter Mullins.

Australia has sent 2,000 military personnel, two warships, attack aircraft and special forces troops to the Gulf to join larger contingents from the United States and Britain.

04/07/03 22:12 ET

[hobblemaster]

Set sail anyway. Fewer morons in the gene pool.

[AdA$tra]

Nothing a few stitches across the bow wouldn't solve.

[callthemlikeyouseethem]

..."Anti-war protesters stopped an Australian warship on Tuesday leaving Sydney Harbour for Iraq by attaching themselves to the ship with mountain climbing gear and laying an underwater object in front of the vessel."...

Geez. Maybe the anti-war protesters would like a ride to the front lines?...

[Travis McGee]

All ahead flank. Chop them to chum. Let the hangers hang on all the way out into the ocean and drop off or starve.

[zacharycole]

The aussie special ops guys are terrific, but I think their harbor police need a little work. Why not steam ahead...see how long the guy on the stern wants to protest?!

[chachacha]

Look!

I think it's time for all freedom loving countries to stop using the freedom cliche

(we fight wars for you to have the right to do what you do) These dirt bags are no better than the enemy we are fighting. Leaving them to continue disrupting a political process and decision to defend the innocent of Iraq or any other country living under fear of terrorism has to stop.

Wake up America

[HHFi]

Isn't this why warships have guns? So they can shoot enemy combatants who get in their way?

[American Blood]

In this post 9-11 world, I cannot believe the Aussie military would allow a breach of security such as this. Incredible. Heads need to roll for this.

[You Dirty Rats]

Keelhaul the B*******

[Violette]

Actually, this is a good thing. The democrats are associated with these radical ideas. The more that these stupid things happen, the better for us. It strengthens the rationality of our party. People may not be republicans, but they don't necessarily want to be associated with that type of behavior either. The middle of the roaders will probably feel better voting republican, than democratic. Hopefully, I'm not being too optimistic....

[OneVike]

Nothing like a little target practice before yo get to Iraq. We wouldn't want the Ausies to get to Iraq without proper training. Besides what is one or two less Greennies?

[Nebr FAL owner]

cat-o-nine tails =8^>

[FairOpinion]

Maybe Oregon has the right idea to declear protesters interfering with law terrorists. They are no better.

They may have the right to their disgusting opinions, but they don't have the right to interfere with the business of the country, or the society.

[FairOpinion]

"Greenpeace said in a statement it had stopped HMAS Sydney leaving by using a flotilla of yachts, small craft, swimmers and divers. "

---

The Harbor police should have started to sink the yachts, then see how many of them want to hang around. There is no other way of dealing with them, since they disregard the law.

[sport]

The Ship's Captain should have ordered a depth charge set on shallow and fired it. Thae would have solved the problem.

[cake_crumb]

If the ship can't crash through, send divers to cut the cable and THEN crash through. Cut the grappling hooks and drop the hangers on into the water. What is wrong with the Australian government?

[cake_crumb]

"Australia has sent 2,000 military personnel, two warships, attack aircraft and special forces troops to the Gulf to join larger contingents from the United States and Britain."

What if by stopping that ship, these cute little protestors which the authorities were scared to capture have condemned 2000 Aussie troops to death?

[wardaddy]

Pink frothy foam wake BTTT

[Publicus]

There's another idea for al-Qaeda...