THE nation's top police officer today backed away from comments suggesting Australia was a bigger terrorist target because of its backing of the United States-led war against Iraq.
Police patrol outside the counter-terrorism conference in Sydney yesterday.
The views of Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty – made in the wake of the Spanish train bombings which killed around 200 people – have been at odds with the federal government.
Prime Minister John Howard insists that the threat of a terror attack is not heightened by involvement in the war.
Mr Keelty late today issued a statement clarifying comments he made on Sunday.
"I regret that some of my words have been taken out of context," he said.
Mr Keelty told the Nine Network's Sunday program: "The reality is, if this turns out to be Islamic extremists responsible for this bombing in Spain, it's more likely to be linked to the position that Spain and other allies took on issues such as Iraq."
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8976875%255E2,00.htmlLOL...it seems howard is struggling with this one..oh its so wonderful having a totally politised police force..