ROBERT Hill has learnt first-hand the new perils involved in visiting strife-torn Baghdad.
Such has been the escalation of violence in the run-up to the January 30 elections that for the first time in four visits, Australia's Defence Minister could not make it to the centre of the Iraqi capital last Friday.
So dangerous has the main highway to and from the airport become, with daily suicide bombings, Senator Hill did not visit the Australian embassy or the Green Zone that comprises the headquarters of the US-led coalition forces in Iraq.
News.com, Australia articleSuch has been the escalation of violence in the run-up to the January 30 elections that for the first time in four visits, Australia's Defence Minister could not make it to the centre of the Iraqi capital last Friday.
So dangerous has the main highway to and from the airport become, with daily suicide bombings, Senator Hill did not visit the Australian embassy or the Green Zone that comprises the headquarters of the US-led coalition forces in Iraq.
As noted previously, travel on the airport road has recently been banned by both the Brits and the American military.
"There is a view among the Sunnis and those who were part of Saddam's regime that not only have they lost, but they will continue to lose through the building of a new democratic system," Senator Hill said.
"They are are fighting back, and they see the January 30 national elections as a critical event."
He said one of the biggest changes of recent months was the extent of intimidation against those who supported Iraq's democratisation process, and against their families.
"They are are fighting back, and they see the January 30 national elections as a critical event."
He said one of the biggest changes of recent months was the extent of intimidation against those who supported Iraq's democratisation process, and against their families.
I say, pull your head out, Hill.
...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.
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