Media Release
In the Name of Allah, The Gracious, The Merciful Deliberation, not Sensationalism or Emotion, needed in Afghanistan Debate

Sydney, Australia, 23rd October 2010 - The Herald Sun this morning carries a impudently sensationalist report ('Muslim Leader Uthman Badar calls Aussie troops terrorists', Mark Dunn) about Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia's commentary on the parliamentary debate about Australia's involvement in Afghanistan as expressed in a media release issued yesterday by Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia ('Debate on Afghanistan War too little too late').

 In response to such irresponsible reporting we re-iterate the points made in that media release and state, for the public record, the following points:

 1. The war in Afghanistan is an American war for the consolidation of American political and economic interests in that region of the world. Claims of the objective being humanitarian or security-related are mere smokescreens. As such, Australian involvement represents a continuation of a lowly acquiescence to the foreign policy of foreign powers, and in turn the unacceptably cheap use of Australian lives to that end. This is the basis upon which the debate about the war should proceed. 

 2. The question of Australia's involvement in the war is one related to the actions of Australian policymakers, not the troops. Whilst any soldiers - regardless of nationality, race or religion - are not absolved of blame for wrong actions on grounds of obeying orders, the reality is that it was not the troops who decided to go to Afghanistan. It was the policymakers who sent them there. The attempt to relate the discussion about the war to the actions, motivations and sacrifices of the troops is merely an attempt to emotionalise the debate. This represents the height of irresponsibility as matters of war and national security deserve deliberation, not sensationalism or misguided emotion.

  3. We challenge Mark Dunn and the Herald Sun, or indeed anyone who disagrees with our views about the war, to debate with us publicly on the matter. Instead of hiding behind the ugly face of tabloid journalism substantiate your views on a public platform intellectually. On our part we are ready to engage in intellectual debate on any topic, and at any time and place of your choosing.

 Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in Australia