Last Update: Wednesday, October 18, 2006. 7:43pm (AEST)
Australia still a target for Muslim extremists, ASIO says

ASIO believes the identification of Australia as part of the West,
rather than its involvement in the Iraq war, makes it a target for
Muslim extremists.

In its annual report to Federal Parliament, ASIO says the violence in
Iraq has led to increased tensions within some of Australia's Middle
Eastern communities.

ASIO says the lead-up to last year's elections in Iraq raised tensions
between members of the Sunni and Shiite communities in Sydney.

The report says Australia and its interests continue to be a target
for Muslim extremists around the world.

ASIO says, while the involvement in the war in Iraq has been given as
one of the reasons, it is Australia's identification by the extremists
as a part of the West and a "crusader" nation that makes it a target
for attacks.

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Source: "Australian Broadcasting Corporation"
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200610/s1768221.htm


Cheers, Steve..

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