Fed: PM ready to press Cheney over Hicks trial

AAP General News (Australia)
02-15-2007
Fed: PM ready to press Cheney over Hicks trial

CANBERRA, Feb 15 AAP - United States vice-president Dick Cheney can expect some tough
questions over the time it has taken to try Guantanamo Bay prisoner David Hicks when he
visits Australia next week.

Prime Minister John Howard today promised to put the case for a speedy trial for Hicks
in firm terms when he meets Mr Cheney.

Mr Howard said he has long held the view that Hicks should face trial because of the
seriousness of the allegations against him.

"That is why we weren't prepared to ask for his repatriation several years ago because
he couldn't face charges in Australia," he told reporters.

"But we are quite angry that it has taken so long. We have communicated that anger
to the Americans and we will continue to do so.

"Mr Downer did it to (US secretary of state) Robert Gates and I will do it to the vice-president
when he comes to Australia."

Mr Howard is facing growing pressure from the community and from coalition MPs to expedite
the Hicks case.

The 31-year-old Adelaide father-of-two has been held at the US military prison in Cuba
since January 2002 after being detained while allegedly serving with Taliban forces in
Afghanistan.

Mr Howard said he shared the views of coalition MPs concerned about how long it had
taken for Hicks to go to trial.

"That has been our position for quite some time now and we will continue to press that
position on the Americans," he said.

"He needs to be brought to trial as quickly as possible and that is a position that
we will continue to put to the Americans."

AAP mb/sb/imc/sp

KEYWORD: HICKS PM

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