Sydney, July 19: Australia today ruled out asking the United States to extradite an Australian terrorist suspect being held at a US military base in Guantanamo, Cuba. Foreign minister Alexander Downer said US authorities had agreed to delay the trial of Adelaide man David Hicks until they held talks with Canberra officials next week. But Downer said the announcement did not mean he would be pushing for hicks, who was captured while allegedly fighting US-led forces in Afghanistan, to stand trial in his homeland. "Nor did I in relation to Australians who have been charged in Vietnam, nor have I in relation to Australians who have been charged in other countries," he told reporters.

"They, at least allegedly, have committed offences against the jurisdictions of other countries, they have to face trial in those countries, not in our jurisdiction."

Hicks, 27, has not been charged with any crime, but US officials said this month he would be among the first six detainees to face a military tribunal and could face the execution.

The Australian government has indicated it will protest to Washington if hicks receives the death penalty.

Hicks was captured by us forces in November 2001 while fighting for the Taliban against US-backed forces in Afghanistan.


He has since been held at Guantanamo bay in Cuba along with more than 600 other "illegal combatants" captured during the war against the Taliban regime and al-Qaeda.
Bureau Report