| Australia : Tamil Tigers ( LTTE ) Not proscribed as Terrorist Organisation in the latest ASIO Report |
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 Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) tabled its Annual Report to Parliament today and Tamil Tigers or LTTE ( Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ) has not been specifically proscribed as a Terrorist Organisation posing threat to Australia, analysts said. But LTTE is currently effectively been listed under United Nations arrangements as terrorist organisation in Australia. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama recently visited and called on Australia to formally declare the LTTE a terrorist group. After meeting with Rohitha Bogollagama, Australian Foreign Minsiter in a Press Release recently said, "I encourage the Sri Lankan Government to continue taking a constructive approach to facilitating the continued delivery of essential food and other items to displaced civilians in the conflict area. This needs to occur so that essential supplies can reach needy populations without discrimination."
ASIO Report says, "In Australia terrorist groups are prohibited through a process of proscription. ASIO’s role is to provide advice to the Attorney-General by means of a ‘statement of reasons’, recommending that a group be listed under the Criminal Code Act 1995 regulations. ASIO assesses a range of factors when considering organisations for proscription. These may include engagement in terrorism, ideology, links to other terrorist networks, threats to Australian interests, or proscription by the United Nations or other countries." Full Text of Media Release by Attorney General regarding the release of ASIO'S Annual Report The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation’s (ASIO) Report to Parliament 2007–08 has today been tabled in Parliament. “ASIO and its partners have worked hard to prevent these activities manifesting themselves into actual attacks in Australia or against Australian interests overseas,” Attorney-General Robert McClelland said. The report also highlights ASIO’s role in countering espionage and foreign interference. “Espionage has always been a security concern, but with advances in technology it is taking on a more dramatic dimension. It’s encouraging to see that ASIO is taking steps to counter this evolving threat,” Mr McClelland said. In 2007/08, ASIO published 3,224 intelligence and threat assessments, up 17% from last year. ASIO also provided 72,688 visa security assessments, 82,290 counter-terrorism checks, and 21,386 personnel security assessments. “The results of increased investment in ASIO are showing, with Australians and Australian interests better protected both here and overseas. Australians can be confident that ASIO is working hard to maintain its intelligence edge.” ASIO’s unclassified Report to Parliament 2007–08 is available from www.asio.gov.au |
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