I do wonder about our political masters. For them, things pirouette on matters of convenience, power or politics, or all three. And let me tell you Fox, for your ears only, the older I get the more slimy I think politics is. Let me give you some examples. Yitzhak Shamir, twice Prime Minister of Israel, is reported to have written in 1943 that moral considerations were not part of the equation when pursuing a national identity. He said something like “…first and foremost terror is for us a part of the political war and appropriate for the circumstances of the day.” He was then a member of the Stern Gang seeking formation of a Jewish State. I see no difference between his statement then and the actions of Arabs today who repudiate a 1948 political decision. In another case, Harold Wilson’s decision to send the SAS into Ireland in January 1976 was more about making a political statement than any considered military strategy. Indeed, when he announced his intention, as I understand it, he didn’t even bother to advise his Ministry of Defence. He just put it out there.’
‘So, one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter?’ asked Fox, observing the Major sceptically.
‘More or less,’ said Hoey with a grin. ‘Yassar Arafat, told the United Nations in 1974 that “… whoever stands by a just cause and fights for freedom and liberation of his land from the invaders, the settlers and the colonialists cannot possibly be called a terrorist.” Hoey paused and looked at Fox keenly. ‘I venture to suggest that your warriors, Pemulwuy and Yagan, would have roundly endorsed Arafat’s viewpoint.’
Fox nodded imperceptibly. Hoey’s statement resonated far more deeply than he could have imagined – Mullett, Matron Fisher, Wildman, Brother John and his brown cronies all swirled to the fore.
‘What I’m saying is this: our job is always clear – it is governed by operational imperative. Nevertheless, it is important not to lose sight of the big picture, to reflect not only on the now, but the history, the context, the politics and the purpose behind what we do. It won’t change your role but it will help you maintain perspective and that is important for those occasions when the public reject political imperative.’
Fox nodded. ‘What about the incidents we discuss in training, where do they fall?’ asked Fox.
‘Let’s start with Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin,’ said Hoey, warming to his subject. ‘Unquestionably they used terrorism to quash opposition and rule by fear. They were leaders who used state might to repress their own people. In a quite different context, the Red Brigades kidnapped and murdered Italy’s former Prime Minister Aldo Moro. Their goal was to destroy the Italian government by revolutionary action, to attack NATO installations and to “… wage war on anti-imperialist multi-national corporations”. South Moluccans in the Netherlands, Hezbollah, the Armenian Secret Army, the Popular Front for Palestine, Basque Separatists, Abu Nidal. And so it goes. These groups believe their actions are rational and justifiable. Good leaders, Fox, should not ignore history. I’ve been in this caper a long time and terrorist patterns are changing. I worry about where they are heading.’
Fox straightened, his senses sharpened. From Hoey, this was significant. ‘My concern was triggered by the Iranian hostage crisis of ’79. Fifty-three yanks captured and held 444 days. Why did that happen? Oil. I’m not going to labour the point – you’re smart enough to work it out. Oil, Iran and problems with Britain, Russia and the USA go back to at least 1901. At the time of that hostage crisis, the USA needed Iran’s oil and backed the Shah. Superficially, Iran appeared stable but the Shah’s people hated him, thought he was evil. By 1978 the plans of an underground Islamist fundamentalist movement to remove the Shah were well advanced. As his protector, America was Iran’s enemy. In 1953 Britain and the CIA, with the Shah’s support, engineered the overthrow of Iran’s democratically elected leader, Dr Mohammed Mossadegh, a man of integrity. Mossadegh had nationalised Iran’s oil supplies in a fight against what he called a “… savage and dreadful system of international espionage and colonialism.” His actions did not suit USA or British interests. In short, Iran had been ripped-off by Britain in every conceivable way through its oil agreement.’
Fox, thinking of Aboriginal history and the Rottnest Island debacle, gave Hoey a hard, penetrating look. ‘I take it you are alluding to my people again.’ The statement was blunt and flat-toned.
‘I see definite parallels Fox – different times, different ways but parallels nevertheless. Anyway, since ’79 we’ve seen the emergence of various Islamist groups around the world, attacks on and in numerous countries and the deaths of hundreds of people. My point is this: Ayatollah Khomeni’s return to Iran parallels the rise in Muslim extremism, power, and aggression. Confrontation against the secular west is occurring on the basis of religious fundamentalism and democratic states around the world are being assaulted by it. I think this is a paradigm shift. History shows that wars fought on the basis of religion always contaminate “white hats” just as much as the “black hats”. Where is this all heading? Who knows. But where do we live? Just below one of the most populous Muslim nations in the world.’
Hoey paused again and Fox thought: Hoey’s right – none of their instructors had presented this slant on terrorism. Put in the context of Aboriginal history, Hoey’s perspective had even more bite. Nothing, it seemed, was simple and straight forward. And with that, Mullett again flashed in and out of his mind – a tiny abused boy.
‘Obviously Fox, you’re familiar with Sydney’s Hilton bombing in ’78 and the Iranian Embassy siege in Britain. Before Hilton, Australia had no formal means of dealing with terrorist attacks. Between those two events, SACPAV – the Standing Advisory Committee on Commonwealth State Co-operation for Protection Against Violence – was created. Sir Robert Mark, former head of New Scotland Yard, was brought out by the Federal Government to talk about terrorism and training as part of SACPAV’s initial development. His strong recommendation was, and I quote: “close quarter battle is a task for the most experienced soldiery, not for the police whose role should be that of containment until the military arrives.” ‘That message has now been understood. Increased numbers means we’ll want bloody good leaders in the SASR. I expect you to be a sergeant by this time next year. You’ve got what it takes to get on Fox. In preparation for that, I want you, and others like you, to broaden your understanding of how things work in other places and cultures. We are still in our infancy in this field and have much to learn. Many countries have developed excellent anti-terrorist tactics but I think the Brits still hold the edge because of their experience in Northern Ireland. You requested the UK, you’ve got it. If you are wondering why you’re getting this lecture, it is because Indonesia is Australia’s largest and nearest Muslim neighbour. It is a pushy and aggressive nation as can be seen by its actions in East Timor and West Papua: rape, murder and massive population dislocation is par for the course. In the context of my concern about Islamic fundamentalism and because of Indonesia’s proximity, you will be receiving some extra-curricular training that others on your course will not be getting. If the shit hits the fan with our neighbour down here, I want our strategies properly informed. Make ready Fox. I’ll talk to you again before you go.’
Fox rose, snapped a sharp salute.
‘Thank you sir. I’ll be doing my best.’ He left the office, feeling elated yet deeply thoughtful.
Two nights later, after finalising matters with Caroline, Fox arrived at the McNulty home on South Perth Esplanade. This time with a special treat. He rang the bell and waited, listening to the light step and happy whistle of Judy as she skipped down the hallway.
‘Hi Foxy.’ Eyes widening, her dimples embraced the huge smile that followed. ‘What have you got there? Oh, he’s beautiful.’ She reached up, hugged and kissed the grinning Fox and removed a squirming bundle of yellow fur from his arms. ‘What’s his name?’
‘She Jude, she. And I’ve been calling her Lucy, after
