Fed: Hill stands up for intel bureaucrats

AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2004
Fed: Hill stands up for intel bureaucrats

Defence Minister ROBERT HILL has stood up for one of the nation's top intelligence
officials, declaring he's been unfairly treated in the row over security briefings.

Opposition Leader MARK LATHAM has claimed his official security briefing in January
led him to conclude Australia's involvement in Iraq was a fiasco -- and prompted his pledge
to bring Australia's troops home by Christmas.

And an anonymous source -- described as a friend of Intelligence chief RON BONIGHTON
-- has told the ABC the intelligence chief did not believe Iraq's weapons of mass destruction
posed a big enough threat to justify war.

Senator HILL's told ABC radio that public servants can't defend themselves in the same
way as others, so it's grossly unfair the way they're being treated in this matter.

He also says Mr LATHAM can now expect a record to be made of any future briefings he
receives from defence officials.

AAP RTV mb/rt

KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST HILL (CANBERRA)

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