Islands Business - Rudd on terrorism

CAIRNS, Australia ----- Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told journalists covering the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Cairns this morning that their law enforcement agencies and intelligence agencies are working hard to combat terrorism and other security threats to our community.

He made the comments as four Australian citizens were arrested and awaiting charges relating to a range of terrorism related offences.

“Australians should be confident about Australia’s strong and coordinated efforts to combat terrorism,” he said.
“These efforts will continue, just as Australians should remain mindful of the fact that the threat of terrorism continues.”
Several other men have also been spoken to as part of this investigation, police said.

Authorities suspect the group to have been planning to storm an Australian Army base, using automatic weapons, as punishment for Australia's military involvement in Muslim countries.
Mr Rudd said, a joint statement was issued by the Acting Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police and the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police in relation to the police counter-terrorism operation that has occurred in Victoria.

“On the evening of the 2nd of August, I received a briefing from the National Security Adviser, the Acting Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police and the Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, about the investigation into a number of individuals in Melbourne, who were allegedly planning a terrorist attack in Australia against an Australian military base and who were also allegedly involved in supporting Al-Shabaab in its fight against the Somali Government.

“I am advised that coordinated police searches under 19 warrants were conducted in Victoria and that four people have been arrested as a result of the warrants.

“Another person, already in custody in Victoria, will also be facing charges in relation to this matter.

“I am advised that the charges laid relate to the preparation or planning of a terrorist act contrary to the Commonwealth Criminal Code 1995 as amended.”

He said the operation is the result of extensive collaboration over many months between the Australian Federal Police, the Victoria Police, the New South Wales Police, the New South Wales Crime Commission, ASIO and the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions covering Federal, Victorian and New South Wales jurisdictions.

“As the Australian Government has said consistently, there is an enduring threat from terrorism at home here in Australia as well as overseas,” he said.

“Only too recently we have been reminded of the consequences of this threat in the tragic Jakarta bombings, in which three Australians lost their lives.

“However, I would like to make clear that I am advised that the Jakarta bombings are not connected to today’s operation.”

Meanwhile, security has been tight at the Cairns Convention Centre where Forum islandd leaders are discussing important issues like the effects of the global cash crisis, global warming and trade under a new agreement with Australia and New Zealand.

• Robert Matau is covering the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Cairns.