Fed: PM says Aussie terrorist claim is chilling stuff

AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-2005
Fed: PM says Aussie terrorist claim is chilling stuff

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD says the claims of a purported Australian al-Qaeda terrorist
are chilling.

And he says the terrorist organisation will undoubtedly seek to exploit the propaganda
value of a western convert.

Mr HOWARD says he's in no position to confirm or deny newspaper reports speculating
that the balaclava clad terrorist in an al-Qaeda video may be former soldier MATHEW STEWART.

The video shows a masked man, clutching an assault rifle and speaking in what appears
to be an Australian accent.

He delivers a warning of further terror attacks against the west and boasting about
the killing of US troops in Afghanistan.

A newspaper source says the man may be former Australian army Private MATHEW STEWART,
a veteran of service in East Timor, who went missing in Afghanistan four years ago.

A close friend of STEWART's has told News Limited newspapers the person appeared to
be the man he grew up with on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

But STEWART'S mother has denied it's her son.

AAP RTV mb/sb/goc/tm

KEYWORD: TERROR VIDEO HOWARD (CANBERRA)

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