Tuesday, February 23, 2010
SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has warned that his country is now under a permanent and increased threat of militant attack.
He also announced plans to fingerprint and face-scan visitors from 10 high-risk countries.
Mr Rudd said there was a growing threat from Islamist radicals born or raised in Australia.
Last week, five Australians of foreign origin received heavy sentences for conspiring to launch a jihadist attack.
Mr Rudd said that many "home-grown terrorists" were inspired by what he called international jihadist narratives, as he released a new report compiled by intelligence agencies.
"The threat of home-grown terrorism is now increasing," he said.
"This white paper is clear: some of the threat we now face comes from the Australian-born, Australian-educated and Australian residents."
"Terrorism continues to pose a serious threat and a serious challenge to Australia's security interests. That threat is not diminishing," Mr Rudd said.
"In fact, the government security intelligence agencies assess that terrorism has become a persistent and permanent feature of Australia's security environment. These agencies warn that an attack could occur at any time."
He said the 10 countries to face more stringent entry procedures would not be named yet. "There may be a diplomatic effort required in regards to some of those countries, as you would expect," he said.
SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has warned that his country is now under a permanent and increased threat of militant attack.
He also announced plans to fingerprint and face-scan visitors from 10 high-risk countries.
Mr Rudd said there was a growing threat from Islamist radicals born or raised in Australia.
Last week, five Australians of foreign origin received heavy sentences for conspiring to launch a jihadist attack.
Mr Rudd said that many "home-grown terrorists" were inspired by what he called international jihadist narratives, as he released a new report compiled by intelligence agencies.
"The threat of home-grown terrorism is now increasing," he said.
"This white paper is clear: some of the threat we now face comes from the Australian-born, Australian-educated and Australian residents."
"Terrorism continues to pose a serious threat and a serious challenge to Australia's security interests. That threat is not diminishing," Mr Rudd said.
"In fact, the government security intelligence agencies assess that terrorism has become a persistent and permanent feature of Australia's security environment. These agencies warn that an attack could occur at any time."
He said the 10 countries to face more stringent entry procedures would not be named yet. "There may be a diplomatic effort required in regards to some of those countries, as you would expect," he said.
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