Military

DATE=10/23/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / AUSTRALIA PROTESTS (S-O)

NUMBER=2-308962

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush has met by protesters inside and outside Australia's Parliament. From the Australian capital, Canberra, V-O-A's Scott Stearns reports thousands of people gathered to denounce Australia's involvement in the invasion of Iraq.

TEXT:

/// OPENS WITH NAT SOUND OF PROTESTS ///

One of the protesters' grievances is about the American detention of Australian citizens Mamdouh Habib and David Hicks at the U-S base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Two national legislators were upbraided for interrupting the president's Parliament speech, in protest of that detention.

Before his speech, President Bush told Prime Minister John Howard allegations the men are being tortured are "utterly ridiculous."

/// BUSH ACTUALITY ///

The prime minister and I have talked about the procedures and I assured him these people will be taken care of in a way that conforms with our rules and regulations.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

One of the suspended senators, Green Party M-P Bob Brown, called for President Bush to repatriate the two men to Australia the same way American citizens captured during the fight against terrorism were sent back to the United States. (SIGNED)

NEB / SS / WD