Fed: Ruddock says just speculation on identity of terrorist

AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-2005
Fed: Ruddock says just speculation on identity of terrorist

Attorney General PHILIP RUDDOCK says reports identifying a balaclava-clad terrorist
as missing former soldier MATHEW STEWART are media speculation.

The video, which was first shown on the al-Arabiya TV network, shows a masked man clutching
an assault rifle and speaking in what appears to be an Australian accent.

He is warning of further terror attacks against the west and boasting about the killing
of US troops in Afghanistan.

Mr RUDDOCK says Australian security agencies are still investigating the video.

The Attorney General says some people have listened to the accent of the person and
had made certain assumptions.

The man had been tentatively identified as former Australian army Private MATHEW STEWART,
a veteran of service in East Timor, who went missing in Afghanistan four years ago.

A close friend told News Limited newspapers the person appeared to be the man with
whom he grew up on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

But his mother has denied it's her son.

AAP RTV mb/tm

KEYWORD: TERROR VIDEO RUDDOCK (CANBERRA)

2005 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.