DPIO 14/98

Thursday February 12, 1998

DEFENCE CHIEF SLAMS REPORTS AS INACCURATE

The Chief of the Defence Force, General John Baker, today attacked reports about operational security of the Special Air Service Regiment published in News Limited newspapers around the country today.

"The stories suggest that statements by our Prime Minister and Defence Minister compromised the security of SAS troops bound for the Iraq," General Baker said.

"This is absolute nonsense and completely inaccurate.

"I find it incomprehensible that the Government could deploy significant elements of the Australian Defence Force into operations without informing the Australian people. What we must not do is reveal particulars of specific activities.

"I, personally, advised the Prime Minister on what could be said about the Special Air Service Regiment without compromising the operational security of the unit.

"He took that advice on board and acted on it word for word."

General Baker said he was satisfied that no operational security has been compromised and indeed that the information referred to by the Prime Minister is available in public documents about the unit's role.

"I am not in the business of risking my people's lives and I would expect the public to recognise that fact," he said.

"I am still hopeful that a diplomatic solution will be found to the problems in the Middle East."