United States of America: Defence Force

Senator Bob Brown asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 6 August 2009:

With reference to the article by Mr Jeff Sharlet in the May 2009 issue of Harper’s Magazine, ‘Jesus killed Mohammed: The crusade for a Christian military’: is the Government aware of the evangelical activity in the operations of the United States of America (US) in Afghanistan: (a) if so, what action has the Government taken to ensure this activity does not endanger Australians on duty in Afghanistan; and (b) if not, will the Government pursue the matters raised in the article with US officials; if not, why not.

Senator Faulkner - The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

The behaviour of United States (US) soldiers is a matter for the United States Government. We are confident that, should there be evidence of adverse behaviour affecting the reputation of the US or the safety of US and Coalition troops, the United States Government would take the appropriate action to deal with it.  Neither the Australian Government nor the Australian Defence Force intends to raise this issue with the United States Government. 

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