After the ceremony, Senator Hill gave a doorstop press conference. He denied that a decision about deploying more troops to an attack on Iraq had already been made: "No, no it's not. This is...what's happening here is an extra effort by the international community to convince Saddam Hussein that there is still time to comply with the demands of the whole of the international community and disarm without the need for force."
In response to a question about the United Nations, Hill said: "Well, there's a process still to come. Obviously the inspectors will report on the 27th to the Security Council. We're expecting Security Council debate to follow that... various parties... the permanent members and other members of the Security Council are foreshadowing positions at the moment. And I think we really need to see if... as to how that debate progresses and what is the outcome. As the Prime Minister said yesterday. We're very committed to the UN process. We believe in collective security and we want the UN to function effectively. For the UN to function effectively after 11 years it has got to ensure that Saddam Hussein is disarmed."
Asked about the difference between Iraq and North Korea, Hill said: "Saddam Hussein has used weapons on his own people. Who else has done that? Who else has used chemical weapons on their own people? He's invaded his neighbours. If you read the latest British dossier - and the Brits have good intelligence on Iraq - he still has further aspirations for regional supremacy. Australians are being drawn into those conflicts when they have occurred in the past. We don't want to see them drawn into a conflict in the future where Saddam Hussein has even better developed weapons of mass destruction."
This is the text of a media release from the Minister for Defence, Senator Robert Hill.
PRIVATE FAREWELL CEREMONY FOR SPECIAL FORCES
Defence Minister Robert Hill today attended a private ceremony for families in Perth to farewell lead elements of a Special Forces Task Group who will deploy soon to the Middle East to prepare should military operations against Iraq become necessary.
Senator Hill was joined by acting Opposition defence spokesman Graham Edwards, Chief of Defence Force General Peter Cosgrove, Chief of Army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy and the Commander Special Operations Command Major General Duncan Lewis.
Senator Hill told the soldiers from the Special Air Service squadron that they were being deployed to add to the international pressure on Saddam Hussein to disarm.
"The more pressure on him to accept the demand from the international community that he disarm, the better the chance for that to occur without the need for force," Senator Hill told the soldiers.
Senator Hill stressed that Saddam Hussein must know the line had been drawn in the sand and that this was his last chance.
He thanked the soldiers on behalf of the broader Australian community for their service and commitment and wished them well in their deployment.
He also thanked their families for the support that they give to the soldiers and assured them of the ongoing support of the Australian community in return.
"We hope that when we come back to welcome you home, it will be because this extra pressure has been successful in disarming Iraq and that it wasn't necessary to go to war," Senator Hill said.
"We wish you well, a successful mission and a safe return."
This is the transcript of the doorstop interview given by the Minister for Defence, Senator Robert Hill, in Perth.
ROBERT HILL:
As you know we've had a farewell ceremony this morning for Special Forces who we'll be deploying to the Middle East region in the reasonably near future. As has been said before, this pre-deployment has two objectives. The first is to ensure that our forces are properly acclimatised and familiar with their coalition colleagues to ensure that if, in the event that armed conflict - of which Australia is a part does occur - that they take full advantage, in terms of their... of that pre-deployment in terms of their personal safety and their capacity to carry out the mission successfully.
The second purpose of the pre-deployment is to add to the international pressure on Saddam Hussein to heed the demands of the international community and disarm peacefully. That remains - our objective that he disarm in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
But as has been recognised by Kofi Annan and others the diplomacy needs force to back it for dealing with such a person as Saddam Hussein. And you've got to understand that this a last chance. The line has been drawn in the sand and that he must disarm. We would obviously prefer peacefully. But one way or another in this instance after 11 years it will occur.
REPORTER:
What role (inaudible).
HILL:
Well, you know the traditional roles that they play. We can talk about their roles and General Lewis would probably be better qualified to provide that detail... but reconnaissance-type work. The type of functions that they carried out so successfully in Afghanistan.
REPORTER:
Will they be under US command?
HILL:
Their direct command will be Australia.
REPORTER:
(inaudible)
HILL:
Well, that's...you're jumping... too many, too many steps. Because there isn't an armed conflict at the moment. Australia's obviously not part of it. If the United Nations passed a resolution, for example to apply military force to achieve the disarmament objective it would presumably set out a structure for that as well.
REPORTER:
Could they take on a frontline combat role as well?
HILL:
Well, what do you mean by that? They don't operate as infantry. They're mobile force, move quickly, special reconnaissance skills, identifying targets and the like.
REPORTER:
What if the UN says no?
HILL:
Now what do you mean what if the UN says no?
REPORTER:
(inaudible)
HILL:
Well, there's a process still to come. Obviously the inspectors will report on the 27th to the Security Council. We're expecting Security Council debate to follow that... various parties... the permanent members and other members of the Security Council are foreshadowing positions at the moment. And I think we really need to see if... as to how that debate progresses and what is the outcome. As the Prime Minister said yesterday. We're very committed to the UN process. We believe in collective security and we want the UN to function effectively. For the UN to function effectively after 11 years it has got to ensure that Saddam Hussein is disarmed.
REPORTER:
Has the politician making the decision to send these troops to war (inaudible).
HILL:
It's a huge decision for Government to take. It's by far the most serious decision a Government will ever take. And we take a great deal of care and deliberation. But in the end you - as the Prime Minister has said - you make decisions that you believe are in the Australian national interest. And you live by the decisions. In terms of public support, I don't think... there are obviously different political views within the Australian community as there is on all issues.
But I find that there's not a lot of disagreement with the notion that dictators such as Saddam Hussein should not have weapons of mass destruction. He has used those weapons on his...
[reporters interrupt]
I'll answer all the questions. He's used those weapons on his own people before - chemical weapons. He's invaded his neighbours. He continues regional supremacy aspirations. And for that background it's understandable that the international community says he can longer be trusted with weapons of mass destruction. And therefore disarmament is necessary.
REPORTER:
(inaudible) why don't you recall Parliament?
HILL:
The Prime Minister has said that - although it's obviously an executive decision to deploy forces to war - which we haven't done in this instance - if that occurred then we would take that decision to the Parliament for debate. Exactly in the same way as Bob Hawke did before the Gulf War.
REPORTER:
It's a fait accompli, isn't it?
HILL:
No, no it's not. This is...what's happening here is an extra effort by the international community to convince Saddam Hussein that there is still time to comply with the demands of the whole of the international community and disarm without the need for force.
REPORTER:
What about the Greens concerns that they could be committing war crimes if you don't have UN... [inaudible] invasion in Iraq?
HILL:
Well, I don't know what they're talking about. We're sending forces in for pre-deployment to ready themselves in the event that they are called upon by the Australian Government to participate in armed conflict. And secondly, as I said, in an effort to achieve a peaceful resolution to apply that extra bit of pressure to Saddam Hussein. So, I don't see any question of war crimes.
REPORTER:
The Prime Minister says that you won't bow to public pressure. Why is it [inaudible]...
HILL:
Well, I don't think he has quite put it like that. The Prime Minister like all of us obviously respects the view of the public. And we're in public life in support of the public. That's the life we've committed ourselves to.
But what the PM has said is that ultimately when you have a range of different public views on an issue the Government has to make up its mind on what it believes is in the national interest. It makes decisions on that basis and it stands by its decisions. It seeks to persuade the community to explain convincingly to the community why it takes such a decision. But you can't be run by opinion polls.
REPORTER:
Is Australia getting isolated here in trying...(inaudible)
HILL:
Oh no, we're not isolated at all. We are supporting the international community in seeking the effective implementation of the Security Council's resolutions. A resolution that was passed unanimously, including such countries as Syria. And the pre-deployment of forces is an effort to contribute to achieving the objective of that resolution which is disarmament through peaceful means.
REPORTER:
...send US troops and defence personnel... (inaudible) to Kuwait and other countries in the area, how safe will Australia be?
HILL:
Well, obviously a mission to the Middle East region - even as a (inaudible) has certain risks attached to it. The last shooting in Kuwait were actually of civilians. But there have been occasional, there have been a few incidents involving forces, armed forces.
Our people, obviously are well trained. They will be... they are the defence force and it looks after itself very effectively. And they seek to keep those risks to a minimum. But clearly in any deployment there are risks attached.
REPORTER:
The Democrats also say that this decision will bring more terrorist attacks or could bring more terrorist attacks against Australian civilians.
HILL:
If that means that you simply ignore the terrorism that is already in our region that's already costing Australian lives or you ignore dictators that have weapons of mass destruction and are further developing those weapons - chemical, radiological and biological weapons - if that argument leads to a safer world, well it's not an argument that I find convincing.
REPORTER:
But Iraq isn't the only country...
HILL:
In other words, I think the only way you achieve a safer world and a safer environment for Australians is if you face up to these issues. Not if you turn your back on them.
REPORTER:
But Iraq isn't the only country with weapons of mass destruction. What about disarming North Korea? What's the difference?
HILL:
Well, because Saddam Hussein has used weapons on his own people. Who else has done that? Who else has used chemical weapons on their own people? He's invaded his neighbours. If you read the latest British dossier - and the Brits have good intelligence on Iraq - he still has further aspirations for regional supremacy. Australians are being drawn into those conflicts when they have occurred in the past. We don't want to see them drawn into a conflict in the future where Saddam Hussein has even better developed weapons of mass destruction.
REPORTER:
Is Mr Howard concerned about the political ramifications of this decision?
HILL:
Well, that's a bit like your question in relation to the opinion polls. You make a decision that you believe is in the best interest of Australia and the Australian people and you cop the political consequences. You take into account all the best information and the best advice in making that decision.
Such as the advice we've received from the Chief of Defence Force, in terms of the value of pre-deployment. In terms of the troops being able to properly acclimatise and to prepare themselves. You take all advice into account.
You do listen to the community there's no doubt about that. And then you make the decision that you believe is right and you stand by it.
REPORTER:
(inaudible)
HILL:
We don't specify specific deployment times for special forces operations for security reasons.
REPORTER:
Senator, the troops are going with great fanfare. What assurances can you give that there'll be proper media coverage of Australia's involvement?
HILL:
Well, what assurances will you give me of that?
[LAUGHTER]
You're the media.
REPORTER:
But obviously...
HILL:
A lot of media have pre-deployed. (LAUGHS). But not many Australian media I noticed.
REPORTER:
The Australian public is entitled to know what they're doing and how they're faring. What assurances can you give that that will be forthcoming?
HILL:
Well, we will - as we have in the past - support the Australian media in their efforts to do that if that is their wish. As you probably know there have been some discussions between Defence and media representatives in that regard.
And you know we do understand the need for the public to be properly informed for - as fully informed as possible. And for the public to have the right to evaluate circumstances as they develop.
REPORTER:
So, does that mean you can give assurances that there will be no media blackout of Australia's involvement there? The Australian forces?
HILL:
Well, what does that mean? Our first consideration is the operational safety of our forces. Within that...within the bounds of that operational safety and security we would want to be as helpful as we can.
REPORTER:
How are the soldiers and their families?
HILL:
Well they're...the soldiers are very professional and the families, obviously families are apprehensive. But these are families whose spouses who have been... most of them have been deployed in the last year to Afghanistan. They've been through these stressful circumstances before and they offer their spouse support. And they stick together. And they operate as a community here and are very close- linked.
What I stressed, of course to them is that whilst we appreciate the anxiety of families, we do recognise that without the support they give to their spouses the spouses wouldn't be able to serve Australia in this way. What flows from that is our responsibility to families. To support them while the men are away.
REPORTER:
Senator an ex-servicemen was saying yesterday that...
HILL:
Sorry, which one first?
REPORTER:
Do you think they could have done without politicians intruding... [inaudible]
HILL:
Well, I don't know what you mean by intruding. A journalist did ask me this morning you know should politicians attend farewell ceremonies. I think it is important for soldiers who are deploying to know that they have the support of the broader community.
To explain to them as I did today the basis of their deployment, the reasons why Government has reached these difficult decisions. For us to pledge our support on behalf of the broader community to their families whilst they are away. I think this is important and I think it's actually appreciated by the soldiers.
REPORTER:
(inaudible)
HILL:
I'm not sure what you mean by looked after. We do appreciate the commitment and tasks that our service personnel undertake. And we do accept that the Government and the community have a responsibility to support them, not only when they are away on deployment but also on return. And as I said, I extend that one step further and say that we also accept our responsibility to support their families in these difficult times.
REPORTER:
How do you feel farewelling troops in situations like this, knowing that some may not come back?
HILL:
I would much prefer to be a peacemaker. What people don't understand is that the possibility of war is in the hands of Saddam Hussein. For 11 years the international community said to him - 'disarm.' There has been a great deal of effort to achieve this objective peacefully.
That effort is continuing. It's continuing through this deployment in an effort to put that extra bit of pressure on him before it's too late to recognise that he's not going to be hedge forever. And further develop these weapons while he stands aside. So, I see this as a contribution towards security of Australians that's important. And obviously I very much appreciate service personnel who are going to be at the frontline.
REPORTER:
Will you make a decision about whether the government will take military action... [inaudible]
HILL:
No we haven't. As the Prime Minister has said we are approaching the issues step by step. The pre-deployment to the regions that I've outlined - we now look forward to the report by the inspectors and the debate in the Security Council. And further decisions that might need to be taken would flow from those processes.
REPORTER:
What sort of advice do you take including legal advice if you were to deploy our troops without UN sanction?
HILL:
Well, obviously we take legal advice on all aspects of deployment. You know, clearly we are a country that believes in the rule of law and seeks to operate within the bounds of international law. Okay? Okay thanks very much.
The Minister for Defence, Senator Robert Hill, has been joined by the ALP's Defence spokesman, Graham Edwards, at a private farewell ceremony in Perth for soldiers from the Special Air Service Squadron. The troops were also addressed by the Defence Chief, General Peter Cosgrove. Senator Hill said the troop deployment was part of an attempt to apply pressure on Iraq. He said a "line had been drawn in the sand" and this was Saddam Hussein's last chance.