red baron
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Well Aussie, I guess I just can't help myself, here you go have a read, doesn't this say Abbott accuses Russia of involvement? It sure reads that way to me.
Tony Abbott says Moscow must not protect Russian-backed rebels accused of downing MH17
The Australian | July 18, 2014 5:46PM Source: The Australian Newspaper, TONY Abbott has lashed Russia’s response to the downing of the Malaysia Airlines jet, as he demanded Moscow not stand in the way of a full investigation, or protect those responsible. The Prime Minister has pointed the finger of suspicion at Russian-backed rebels for the shooting down of flight MH17, killing 298 on board, including 28 Australians.
US intelligence officials believe the aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile and Ukraine has accused pro-Russian separatists of carrying out the attack.
Mr Abbott also thinks it “highly probable” Moscow-backed rebels shot down the Boeing 777.
Russian Ambassador Vladimir Morozov was today summoned for a meeting in Sydney with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who sought assurances of Moscow’s cooperation in the disaster investigation.
Mr Abbott said the ambassador’s initial response was to blame Ukraine, where the jet came down. “This was deeply, deeply, unsatisfactory,” said Mr Abbott, who said he was angry that it appeared the jet was shot down and Australians killed by Russian-backed rebels with what could turn out to be Russian-supplied missiles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also said Ukraine must bear responsibility.
But Mr Abbott said the idea that Russia could claim it had nothing to do with the disaster because it happened in Ukraine’s air space did not stand up to scrutiny.
The Prime Minister said Russia must not be allowed to stand in the way of an “absolutely comprehensive” investigation.
“No prevarication, no excuses, no blame-shifting, no protecting of people who may be backed by Russia but who may have been involved in this terrible event,” he said.
“It was not an accident, it was a crime, and criminals should not be allowed to get away with what they have done,” Mr Abbott said.
“It did not crash, it was downed. And it was downed over territory controlled by Russian-backed rebels,” Mr Abbott said.
“It was downed by a missile which seems to have been launched by Russian-backed rebels, and again I want to stress that Australia takes a very dim view of countries which are facilitating the killing of Australian citizens.”
Mr Abbott said the issue was a test for Russia and how transparent it was going to be.
“Based on what we’re hearing from Russia, it’s hard to have much confidence that there will be the kind of open and honest and transparent cooperation that you would expect, and this really is a test for Russia. It really is a test for Russia. How transparent and fair dinkum is it going to be?”
Mr Abbott declined to indicate whether Australia would refuse to allow Mr Putin to attend the G20 leaders summit in Brisbane later in the year, saying it was unlikely the government would act without consulting other nations.
Ms Bishop, speaking earlier, said Mr Morozov had denied Russian involvement but couldn’t give details of what had occurred, so supported an independent investigation.
Russia had also given an assurance it would do what it could to find who was responsible.
Earlier, Mr Abbott demanded “the perpetrators must be brought to justice’’.
In an apparent swipe at Russia, Mr Abbott also told parliament: “The bullying of small countries by big ones, the trampling of justice and decency in the pursuit of national aggrandisement, and reckless indifference to human life should have no place in our world.”
Mr Abbott said the world should be “filled with revulsion” after the apparent confirmation the Boeing 777 was shot down by a missile over Ukraine.
“This is a grim day for our country and it’s a grim day for our world,’’ he said.
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