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| Iraq |
| Diggers gun down Iraqi ministers bodyguard |
| 2006-06-21 |
| AUSTRALIAN soldiers have gunned down an Iraqi minister's bodyguard in an embarrassing mistake that could now threaten trade links. The Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, today confirmed members of Defence's security detachment had been involved in the shooting, which witnesses said left at least one person dead and five wounded. "The security detachment was conducting routine security duties when this incident occurred," a statement said. "The ADF deeply regrets the injuries and loss of life that has occurred." Iraqi Trade Minister Abdel Falah al-Sudani has already lashed out at Australia over the incident. Iraqi sources said the Australians shot dead one of his guards and wounded others as an Australian trade delegation left his offices. Other reports today said a civilian had also been killed in the shooting. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra said the incident was under investigation, and the ADF said this morning it would also be launching an investigation. The shooting took place outside Mr Sudani's office in the capital's west. Full details are still emerging, but Salim al-Bahadiry, a bodyguard for the trade minister, said: "The (Australian) convoy left the ministry. "Our convoy followed them. They thought the driver was trying to pass and they shot and killed him and wounded three guards and two civilians." Television footage showed the Iraqi bodyguards' sports utility vehicle crashed into a pole, its windscreen peppered with bullet holes. An interior ministry source said gunmen with the Australian delegation had opened fire at plainclothes bodyguards they encountered as they left the minister's compound. "They thought the bodyguards had nothing to do with the Iraqi police forces guarding the compound," the source said. Other Iraqi police and Interior Ministry sources who confirmed the shooting also said it appeared the Australians had mistaken the bodyguards, who were dressed in civilian clothes and armed with AK-47 rifles, for insurgents. Mr Sudani, a member of Parliament's dominant Shiite bloc, was furious at the incident and reportedly called today for Iraq to end trade with Australia. "They are trampling on the dignity and sovereignty of Iraqis," he said after the death. "We demand an explanation from the Australian Government for this intentional and unwarranted criminal aggression against members of our protection force. "It should also compensate the family of the martyr and the wounded." In Canberra, Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry spokesman Matt Adamson said: "We are aware of an incident in Baghdad and it is currently being investigated." He did not say why the delegation was in Baghdad, but Australia has been working hard to win back one of its most important wheat markets after the AWB kickback scandal saw Iraq suspend dealings with monopoly exporter AWB Ltd in February. |
| Posted by:Oztralian |