Aussie troops to go beyond Afghanistan

Australian troops are to remain in Afghanistan and more soldiers could be sent to other countries as part of the United States-led war against terrorism.

Defence Minister Robert Hill stood yesterday alongside US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld at the Pentagon in Washington to reassure him that Australia would support the effort against terrorism until the job was done.

"If the goal is to best ensure terrorism can't be exported as it was last year, then obviously we'll have to turn our attention to areas beyond Afghanistan," Senator Hill said.

Links were found between Islamic extremist groups based in the vicinity of Australia and terrorist groups overseas.

"We do have extremist groups, Islamic extremist groups, within our region and whereas they have concentrated their activities within state and generally within specific localities within state, there is evidence of contact with other terrorist organisations," he said.

"And I think that has been one of the lessons of the last four months, that now that the effort is being made to look at linkages, we are perhaps finding more than what we would have otherwise anticipated."

Senator Hill also said the war against terrorism was far from being over.

"We think this task will take considerable time yet," Senator Hill said.

"We think there is still a great deal of work that needs to be done in Afghanistan, but I agree the terrorist linkages extend beyond Afghanistan."

In a further development, Mr Rumsfeld confirmed that captured Australian al-Qaeda fighter David Hicks could be among the first group of prisoners flown to the US military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for questioning.

Mr Rumsfeld said it was vital that Hicks and other al-Qaeda members were properly interrogated.

Australian Attorney-General Daryl Williams is expected to release more information soon on the fate of Hicks, 26, of Adelaide, who was captured by US forces in Afghanistan on or around December 9.

Acting Prime Minister John Anderson said yesterday that the issue of whether Hicks would be tried in Australia or the US was still to be resolved.

"There are some quite complex matters to be considered there," Mr Anderson said.

"They're being worked through by the Attorney-General and in due course we'll be able to say more."

The US thanked Australia yesterday for its strong support after Mr Rumsfeld and Senator Hill held a private meeting at the Pentagon.

"There is just no question that this is going to be a long process and there are terrorist networks well beyond al-Qaeda and they exist in many parts of the globe and our view is there is no way in the world the United States can or should be engaged in this activity alone," Mr Rumsfeld said.

"We've had wonderful support from dozens and dozens of countries, not least of which is Australia, and we value that."

Senator Hill's visit to Washington is part of a 12-day trip that will


	GOVERNMENT NEWS \| home Aussie troops to go beyond Afghanistan Canberra Times Australian troops are to remain in Afghanistan and more soldiers could be sent to other countries as part of the United States-led war against terrorism. Defence Minister Robert Hill stood yesterday alongside US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld at the Pentagon in Washington to reassure him that Australia would support the effort against terrorism until the job was done. "If the goal is to best ensure terrorism can't be exported as it was last year, then obviously we'll have to turn our attention to areas beyond Afghanistan," Senator Hill said. Links were found between Islamic extremist groups based in the vicinity of Australia and terrorist groups overseas. "We do have extremist groups, Islamic extremist groups, within our region and whereas they have concentrated their activities within state and generally within specific localities within state, there is evidence of contact with other terrorist organisations," he said. "And I think that has been one of the lessons of the last four months, that now that the effort is being made to look at linkages, we are perhaps finding more than what we would have otherwise anticipated." Senator Hill also said the war against terrorism was far from being over. "We think this task will take considerable time yet," Senator Hill said. Sharpe's view - Page C6 War on Terror - Page 10 "We think there is still a great deal of work that needs to be done in Afghanistan, but I agree the terrorist linkages extend beyond Afghanistan." In a further development, Mr Rumsfeld confirmed that captured Australian al-Qaeda fighter David Hicks could be among the first group of prisoners flown to the US military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for questioning. Mr Rumsfeld said it was vital that Hicks and other al-Qaeda members were properly interrogated. Australian Attorney-General Daryl Williams is expected to release more information soon on the fate of Hicks, 26, of Adelaide, who was captured by US forces in Afghanistan on or around December 9. Acting Prime Minister John Anderson said yesterday that the issue of whether Hicks would be tried in Australia or the US was still to be resolved. "There are some quite complex matters to be considered there," Mr Anderson said. "They're being worked through by the Attorney-General and in due course we'll be able to say more." The US thanked Australia yesterday for its strong support after Mr Rumsfeld and Senator Hill held a private meeting at the Pentagon. "There is just no question that this is going to be a long process and there are terrorist networks well beyond al-Qaeda and they exist in many parts of the globe and our view is there is no way in the world the United States can or should be engaged in this activity alone," Mr Rumsfeld said. "We've had wonderful support from dozens and dozens of countries, not least of which is Australia, and we value that." Senator Hill's visit to Washington is part of a 12-day trip that will also take him to New York and London. AAP home