http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/go-easy-on-gunslinging-soldiers-pm/2006/09/18/1158431644424.htmlGo easy on gun-slinging soldiers: PM
THE Prime Minister says soldiers need to "let off steam" and has advised the public not to overreact to Australians in Iraq making a video of themselves skylarking with guns, including pointing a weapon at a man dressed as an Arab.
Defence Force scandals involving videos and photos go back to 1990 and have included another involving mock-Arab dress; the lampooning of homosexuals; and the beating of soldiers during an equator-crossing ritual.
In 2004, photographs came to light of Australian soldiers in Townsville in 2000 in Ku Klux Klan hoods standing in an intimidating way behind black recruits. John Howard then said it was "abhorrent" and "not a joke".
But yesterday he said troops in Iraq and Afghanistan were in a hard environment. "And soldiers through the ages have let off a bit of steam when they are working in stressful environments."
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/09/18/gr_servicemen_wideweb__470x398,0.jpgServicemen behaving badly...Clockwise: Townsville 2000, troops raise eyebrows by donning Ku Klux Klan masks and posing for a group photograph. Iraq 2003-05, soldiers posing with their guns. Persian Gulf Iraq 2003-05, hamming it up on HMAS Succeess and Bougainville 2000, peacekeepers' gay mardi gras.
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