Joint Media Release
with Attorney-General The Hon Daryl Williams AM QC MP.
FA89a - 19 July 2003
Delegation to visit Washington for talks on David Hicks
The Governnment has held detailed discussions with the United States concerning
Mr Hicks' inclusion in the first list of Guantanamo Bay detainees who are
eligible for military commission trials.
Those discussions have taken place at the most senior levels, and have involved the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Attorney-General, and senior United States figures. They have included the Secretary of State, the White House, the Pentagon, and the State Department.
As a result of these discussions, a senior Australian delegation will visit
Washington next week for talks with the United States concerning Mr Hicks.
The United States has announced it will not commence military commission
proceedings against Mr Hicks pending the delegation's visit.
The delegation will discuss possible solutions to Mr Hicks' case and, in
particular, how procedures for Mr Hicks' possible trial would practically
be implemented
The Australian delegation's visit will coincide with the visit to Washington of a high-level UK delegation for talks regarding British detainees at Guantanamo Bay. The Government will remain in close contact with the UK to ensure our mutual concerns are addressed effectively.
The Government strongly believes that military commission trials must be fair and transparent while protecting security interests. The forthcoming visit is part of the Government's ongoing commitment to protecting the interests of the two Australians, Mr Hicks and Mr Habib, who are detained at Guantanamo Bay.
The Government's advice is that it is unlikely Mr Hicks could be prosecuted
successfully in Australia in relation to his activities in Afghanistan or
Pakistan, under the Australian laws that applied at the time.
Media inquiries: Andrew Park (Ministerial) Julie McDonald (Departmental) 02 6261 1555