Main stories in ABC's World Today

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2006
Main stories in ABC's World Today

SYDNEY, Dec 20 AAP - Main stories in ABC's World Today:

* Victorian Court of Appeal orders Jack Thomas to stand trial for the second time on
terrorism-related charges. Decision based on statements he made to media outlets before
he was convicted on February 26. His convictions were quashed on the basis his statement
to police was made under duress, but the court today ruled his statements to the media
were voluntary and a basis for retrial. Likely he will remain on bail.

* Frenchman Willie Brigitte, who is suspected of planning terrorist attacks in Australia
may have been an even bigger player in the world of international terrorism. He will face
trial in France next year on charges of helping supply false identity documents used by
killers of Ahmad Shah Massood, an Afghan war chief fighting the Taliban who was murdered
just two days before the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.

* British government today vehemently rejecting an assessment by a leading thinktank
that's found Britain's decision to back the US-led war in Iraq was a terrible mistake
that seriously impaired the UK's ability to influence global policy. The analysis also
found the British government received very little from the Bush administration in return
for its support and Prime Minister Tony Blair had little influence over the US president.

Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer says what the Iraqi people think is the only
important consideration.

* Rallies being held across Australia against the decision not to charge a police officer
with the death in custody of a Palm Island man known as Mulrunji. Queensland Premier Peter
Beattie goes to face the angry island community later this afternoon and is expected to
make an announcement following legal advice about what he can do. Lawyer for Mulrunji's
family says they are entitled to justice, and wants a review by the NSW DPP.

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