Search begins for answers on Allawi 'executions'(update, not dupe)

[mom cat]

Search begins for answers on Allawi 'executions'
By Kerry-Anne Walsh and agencies
July 18, 2004
The Sun-Herald


The Federal Opposition has demanded that the Government immediately investigate claims that the new Iraqi Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi, executed insurgents just before Washington handed control to his interim government.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday that Dr Allawi shot and killed up to six prisoners.

Witnesses reported they were lined up against a wall in a courtyard adjacent to the cell at Baghdad prison in which they were held, and Dr Allawi pulled out a pistol and shot them.

Labor's foreign affairs spokesman, Kevin Rudd, described the report as "unbelievable", but one that had to be pursued by the Government.

He said Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer could not brush the story aside.

Mr Rudd called on the Government to use its close ties with the United States, and its diplomatic network, to probe the claims.

Mr Downer had a responsibility to get to the truth, he said, because it was written by a reputable journalist, Paul McGeough.


http://smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/17/1089694608172.html?oneclick=true