Aussie Government Welcomes Detainee’s Plea

Australian officials have welcomed Guantanamo detainee David Hicks’ guilty plea to charges of providing material support for terrorism.

Hicks, an Australian citizen, has been held at Guantanamo Bay for more than five years since he was captured in Afghanistan fighting for the Taliban.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard told Parliament Tuesday while the plea was welcome he was still not happy the U.S. military process had taken so long.

It has always been our view that Hicks should face justice but we have been very concerned about the time that it has taken, Howard said.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Hicks could be in Australia soon under a prisoner exchange deal with the United States.