Not in our News
Iraqi leader 'killed prisoners'
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1260&storyid=1640896
July 17, 2004
THE Australian Government has questioned claims that interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi shot dead six prisoners shortly before the handover of power from coalition forces.
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Denial... Dr Allawi says he doesn't carry a gun
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The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age today reported that two witnesses saw Dr Allawi pull a pistol and execute suspected insurgents at a Baghdad police station in the week before last month's handover.
Journalist Paul McGeough, who wrote the story, has left Iraq, but stands by his story.
"If you have a story like this, it's not a good idea to remain in the country," Mr McGeough told Ten News.
The witnesses said the handcuffed and blindfolded prisoners were lined up against a wall in a courtyard, next to the maximum-security cell block in which they were held at the Al-Amariyah security centre.
They say Dr Allawi told bystanders the victims had each killed as many as 50 Iraqis and they deserved worse than death.
A spokesman for Foreign Minister Alexander Downer today said the Australian Government had not been able to substantiate the claims, although he conceded the allegations were serious.
"We, as a country, know nothing about these allegations and we've checked with the Americans and the British, who also know nothing about these allegations," the spokesman said.
"They're obviously quite serious allegations, but there's no evidence to support them at this stage; none of the authorities in Iraq that we've been able to contact know anything about them."
He said that if Mr McGeough had information about alleged crimes that had been committed in Iraq, he had a responsibility to take that information to authorities.
The reports have been denied entirely by the Iraqi prime minister's office which said Dr Allawi had never visited the centre and did not carry a gun.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd today urged Mr Downer to seek further details from Australian Embassy officials in Baghdad, saying Mr McGeough should cooperate with any investigation.
"Mr Downer can't just brush it to one side," Mr Rudd said in Brisbane.
"Such reports appear to me to be unbelievable, but because they are written by a credible journalist, Mr Downer's responsibility is to get the truth from the Australian Embassy and the United States.
"There is not much more to say until we have clarification from Mr Downer and this must occur as a matter of urgency."
Mr Rudd said the Federal Government should use Australia's diplomatic network and ties with the US to investigate the claims.
He refused to speculate over the accuracy of the report or the impact of the claims on the credibility of Iraq's new regime.
Meanwhile, Australian Greens leader Bob Brown called on Prime Minister John Howard to explain his role in the promotion of Dr Allawi, renewing his calls for Australian troops in Iraq to return home.
"The immediate question is how did Allawi, who helped install Saddam Hussein, become the White House choice to lead this benighted country into freedom and democracy?" Senator Brown said.
Dr Allawi's record was well known to both Mr Howard and US President George W. Bush, he said.
"Our PM should tell Australia about his role in this brutal man's promotion," Senator Brown said.
"He should return Australia's defence forces from the service of this bloodcurdling brute."
Dr Allawi, 58, built a political party of former Iraq Baath party members and ex-military officers during 33 years of exile in London.
He was named interim prime minister last month after receiving the backing of fellow Iraq Governing Council members.
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