AN OPEN LETTER TO BOB DEBUS

The Hon. Bob Debus,
Minister for Home Affairs, Parliament House,
Canberra ACT 2600. 1st September 2008.

Dear Mr Debus,
Proposed Extradition to Hungary of Mr Charles Zentai
It has been reported in the national press that, if Mr Zentai's current appeal fails, his last avenue of action to prevent his extradition to Hungary will rest in an application to you to be excused extradition on grounds of his age and/or poor health.

I am writing to you to ask that, should such an application be made, you accede to it and allow Mr Zentai to conclude his life in Australia.
It is a time-honoured precept that justice needs to be qualified and mitigated in many contexts by mercy. I believe that this is such a case. I have watched my own father decline from frail but moderately good health (at the age of eighty-three) to death via serious mental erosion (at the age of eighty-six). It would have horrified me to find him asked to stand trial in those years for any serious crime: the physical and psychological strength to defend his interests would simply not have been there.

In the case of Mr Zentai, however, there are very strong presumptions that any trial staged by Hungary in the matter on which he is accused would take place in circumstances of exceptional difficulty for the defence even if the defendant were in the prime of life and vigorously ready and eager to defend himself.
It is my contention that these circumstances bear on the aspects of Mr Zentai's case which you may be required to examine if he makes an application to you.
The gist of the situation is that it seems impossible that he can receive a fair trial in Hungary, as we understand such a concept in terms of our traditional legal procedures; and that, apart from that, there would be a grossly unequal contest (having in mind the forces arrayed against him), such as is very highly likely to lead to serious injustice.

Please consider the relevant factors which I will now lay before you in no particular order of precedence.

(1) As distinguished QC Dr I. C. F. Spry argued ('Legal Notes: The Kalejs Case: An Inappropriate Pursuit', in National Observer, Council for the National Interest, No. 44, Autumn 2000, pp 61 to 66), the amendment of the War Crimes Act in 1989 was an injudicious decision, opposed by many of Australia's senior lawyers. Dr Spry commented that 'it is inherently unsafe to prosecute people for offences that took place fifty years ago. Memories and recollections are commonly unsafe after more than several years, and evidence by wholly or partly senile individuals, after fifty years, is inappropriate.'
Dr Spry added that it is regrettable that further amendment of the Act was allowed 'so as to remove the requirement, where extradition is sought by a foreign country, of proof of a prima facie case that a relevant offence has been committed.' In my view, no such case has been established by Hungary, since its prosecutors seem to be relying on statements given as evidence in communist courts soon after World War Two (when passions still ran hot in that nation). Any evidence or findings of such courts must be regarded as tainted by those of us who understand the fullness of the indictments brought against communism by men such as Alexander Solzhenitsyn, George Orwell and Arthur Koestler. It is quite possible that accusations against Mr Zentai in those long-ago communist proceedings were obtained under duress and/or uttered by men desperate to soften their own punishments.
Dr Spry further added that 'there is a significant prospect' that persons extradited from Australia to central European nations such as Latvia or Hungary 'will not receive a fair trial. Intense political pressure, from Jewish sources particularly, is being placed on Latvia to try to convict Kalejs, regardless of legalities. What is being sought is a conviction, not, it appears, a fair trial.'
Dr Spry pointed out that the situation of subordinates in war conditions also needs to be taken into account. If such men are ordered to perform certain acts, in the knowledge that they may be executed if they do not perform those acts, prosecution is not appropriate. 'Nor, indeed, would extradition to any foreign country wishing to prosecute subordinates be appropriate.'

(2) Remarks made by Canadian attorney Douglas H. Christie are also germane ('Introduction' to The Path of Legal Warfare: Imre Finta's Trial for War Crimes by Keltie Zubko, Veritas Publishing Company Pty Ltd, 1991). Finta, a Hungarian, was acquitted of alleged 'Nazi war crimes' on 25th May 1990. He was fortunate to be tried before a jury of ordinary citizens and defended by a counsel (Christie) highly skilled in cross examination. Mr Christie reported that the case 'demonstrated that a careful examination of survivors' testimony reveals a wealth of contradictions casting serious doubt on the whole story '.. The diaries made at the time by at least one Holocaust survivor did not record many of the horrors she recalled now for the Holocaust Remembrance Association, but it did record many good and happy events which she either chose to ignore or had forgotten.
This problem of false testimony has tainted many important war crimes trials, including not only those already held in Australia (in which most bizarre mis-identifications were made in court by prosecution witnesses, and in which no successful prosecutions could be obtained), but also overseas ones such as those affecting Frank Walus (found innocent despite much witness 'certainty' that he was guilty) and John Demjanjuk in Israel. The corruption of the first Israeli trial of Demjanjuk is described in appalling detail by the courageous Jewish attorney, Yoram Sheftel, who defended him successfully in his appeal trial (Show Trial, Gollancz, London, 1995). It seems reasonable to fear that such travesties of justice may also occur in any Hungarian proceedings against Mr Zentai.

Christie also drew attention to another unsatisfactory aspect of these war crimes trials: 'In Israel or in Hungary, the state simply assisted the prosecution for years before the trial. They were not obliged to assist the defence at all by the agreement negotiated with Canada by which access to Archives and to all records was assured. The Canadian Government got access to the International Tracing Service at Arolsen where all concentration camp records of the Red Cross are kept. This was denied to the defence.' Thus Finta, an individual person, was involved in unequal contest with opponents including the two governments and the very powerful, influential and financially gifted Jewish lobby. There is a strong presumption that such a contest will await Mr Zentai if he is extradited to Hungary. Moreover, judging by the way this case has been reported in the major newspapers read in Melbourne (my home city), especially The Australian, there is also a strong presumption that the major media are in an alliance against Mr Zentai too. Opinion articles supporting the extradition have been published, but none opposed to it; and recently even the letters pages have been closed to defenders of Mr Zentai.

It is worth remembering the jubilation with which The Australian published (over several full pages) the now infamous verdict of the first Demjanjuk trial. It is also worth noting that distinguished British author Count Nikolai Tolstoy (a witness for Demjanjuk) also expressed grave reservations about the 'show trial' tendencies of 'Nazi war crimes' trials (Foreword to The Report of the Symposium on the Proposed War Crimes Legislation in Australia, Captive Nations' Council of Victoria, Chadstone, 1988): 'Despite the plausible reassurances, it is scarcely credible that it is really intended to protect defendants' rights as carefully as is claimed. Trials of this sort, inevitably lasting for weeks or months and involving the bringing of eyewitnesses and highly paid experts from the other side of the globe, must inevitably prove prohibitively expensive.'

Count Tolstoy, rightly in my view, also challenged the bona fides of the whole campaign against alleged 'Nazi war criminals): 'Nor is it possible to avoid taking into account the bad faith and questionable motives of all too many of the most active proponents of the legislation of the type proposed. Why have they waited so inordinately long before launching their campaign? The claim that they have only recently been alerted to the presence of alleged war criminals in Australia seems scarcely credible. Is it coincidence that the move is one being simultaneously orchestrated in a number of countries around the world, and that in more than one country it is openly acknowledged to be linked as much to current political requirements as to judicial considerations?' That such may also be the case in Australia in 2008 is suggested by remarks by former editor of The Age and long-term supporter of the campaign, Michael Gawenda ('War crimes should be punished - no matter how long it takes,' The Age, 28th August 2008). Mr Gawenda, in advocating the extradition of Mr Zentai, wrote that the arguments for such action are 'as much about recognition of what was done as about delivering justice' and that Mr Zentai's alleged crime is to be seen as 'part of the annihilation of millions of Jews during World War II'.

There is much more that could be placed before you, Mr Debus, in favour of any application by Mr Zentai. Among other items, I have in mind the statements made by various of his opponents here and overseas that 'Australia has been too slow to achieve a guilty verdict in a Nazi war crimes trial'. This arouses a presumption that an attitude of 'finding a scalp' may be involved, or of a determination to force Australia to bow in submission to the campaign, or that the Australian Government may even now be under duress to co-operate in the extradition of Mr Zentai. Such a presumption is strengthened by the opinion article published in The Australian by Glenn Milne ('"Idiot" MPs could save Kalejs', 9th October 2000. Milne reported that coalition Senator Vanstone had warned her fellow MPs 'that if they fail to allow Kalejs to be extradited the Government will face an electoral backlash from Australia's powerful Jewish lobby.' Milne added" 'Vanstone is not worried about civil liberties niceties. She simply wants Kalejs extradited for political reasons.' This claim was not challenged by the Senator.

On 22nd March 1961 Sir Garfield Barwick announced in the Australian Parliament that the Government had decided to 'close the chapter on war crimes.' I believe that that was a wise decision and that subsequent changes of policy may be leading towards a morally monstrous action (the extradition of Mr Zentai) which will be a serious blot on the soul of our nation. Given this whole context, which I have only adumbrated and which really deserves book-length treatment, I argue that at his advanced age and in his frail condition of health Mr Zentai deserves to be protected from such a difficult and questionable set of judicial proceedings. I hope that, if necessary, you will agree with me.

Yours sincerely, Nigel Jackson, Poet, Belgrave Vic.

Come on supporters.
Now is the time to get behind Nigel Jackson's Open Letter and write to The Hon. Bob Debus, Minister for Home Affairs, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 on behalf of Mr. Charles Zentai. Let him live out the rest of his life in peace in Australia.

CANADA AND FREE SPEECH

by Ian Wilson LL.B:
The Canadian Human Rights Commission has punished writer Mark Steyn, a critic of the Islamisation of the West, for being in breech of Canada's hate speech provisions (as the ruling has been reserved for a few months) comes from his No.1 best-selling book "America Alone" which the proponents argue offend Islam. Indications seem to be that Steyn will lose his case for the truth is no defence in such trials.

Here in Australia the same results are possible as well for our legislation mirrors Canada's. It will just take a bit more political will to move past 'Holocaust deniers' to wipe out the rest of us 'politically incorrect' characters. But no doubt it is on the agenda.

The loss of freedom of speech indicates that the West is losing its way and is undergoing a process of internal decomposition. Now is the time for the lions of freedom - where are you? - to roar as never before. Before it is really too late.
Back in July the papers showed pictures of the Qantas jumbo-jet with a gaping hole in the fuselage. Above it was written "Spirit of Australia." I hope that is not an omen !

NAZI ORGIES AND PRIVACY LAW IN BRITAIN

by Ian Wilson LL.B:
Max Mosley, Formula One car racing boss and son of you-know-who, apparently engaged in a dress-up Nazi-orgy with prostitutes. "News of the World" covered - or uncovered - the event. Mosley sued and won before the English High Court.

Newspapers lamented that Justice David Eady "has almost single-handedly created what is now a privacy law in Britain" ("Mosley Judge Rewrites the Rules, Hurts Media," The Australian 12/8/08 p.31). And the hurt shows in The Australian article.

But the Human Rights Act (1998), a gift from the EU enshrines in domestic law a right to privacy. Justice Eady is only implementing the law before him. If the media is now hurting then they should have done something before this to oppose 'one world' law.

THE COST OF ETHNIC DIVERSITY

by Brian Simpson:
Research published by academic Ernest Healy ("Ethnic Diversity and Social Cohesion in Melbourne," People and Place, vol.15, no.4, 2007) supported research by US sociologist Robert Putnam, that higher levels of ethnic diversity are associated with lower levels of "social capital" such as trust and voluntary work. Putnam published his research results in Scandinavian Political Studies, vol.30, 2007. The same results were found by Andrew Leigh "Diversity, Trust and Redistribution," Dialogue 25, 2006.

None of these academics supported a cut in immigration, even though immigration is the cause of this diversity. Healy also found that those living in multicultural areas of Melbourne may also be "hunkering down like turtles" to use Putnam's metaphor.

Healy concludes: "Some commentators on ethnic diversity imagine that social cohesion has only broken down if overt violence occurs. Yet, similarly to Putnam's observations in the United States, the present analysis indicates that loss of social capital may not be obvious.
The harm may be cumulative and pervasive, but fall short of social rupture." Ignored by all of these researchers is the likelihood that social rupture could ultimately occur from the poisons of ethnic diversity.

LONDON'S 'IMMIGRANT SHOWCASE' ENDS IN CARNAGE

https://www.bnp.org.uk/author/admin01/ British National Party 26/8/08:
"The Notting Hill Carnival, meant to be a "showcase of Britain's immigrant community and diversity," has ended in carnage and bloody street battles between police and black gangs, which resulted in at least 488 arrests.

Some 11,000 police officers were deployed at the event, costing taxpayers '6 million. They were attacked, glassed, pelted with missiles and confronted all day with everything from knife wielding black hoodlums and drunks, to dangerous dogs.
Knives, a Taser gun, CS spray and a baseball bat were among the weapons seized during the rioting which followed the end of the carnival, billed as Europe's largest "celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture."
A total of 488 arrests were made during the event - 330 in the Notting Hill area and 158 around Oval, where police prevented about 160 black youths from south London entering the main carnival area. Officers bussed 151 of them to south London police stations where they were detained until the carnival was over. Seven were arrested for possession of bladed articles or public order offences.

Police were battered near the centre of the carnival in Ladbroke Grove after 40 black youths attacked them in planned formations for two hours, pelting them with everything they could find, including bottles, bricks, steel bars and other objects. One officer was glassed in the face. Backup had to be called in the form of fully armoured riot police, who baton-charged the black mob before order was restored.
Witnesses described a 'war zone'. One witness said: "It was a full-scale riot. Bottles were flying everywhere. Carnival-goers and police officers were bloodied. A policewoman was carried off unconscious."

"Another had a two-inch gash above his eye. He was staggering and supported by two colleagues. The mob weren't scared. They were running towards the police who were chanting 'one, two, three' and charging them. It was like a war zone. I haven't seen anything like it at the carnival since the early Nineties. It reminded me of the Brixton riots."

The 488 arrests were for offences ranging from assault, possessing an offensive weapon, drunk driving and theft, to public order and drugs. Even this figure is still being revised upwards. Arrests for some of the more serious offences included: 59 for drug offences, 25 for carrying an offensive weapon, 40 public order offences, 18 for assault, 11 for theft, seven for drunken behaviour, two sexual offences and two for robbery.

Specialist dog liaison officers impounded 19 dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Black gangs in London have increasingly taken to using dogs as attack weapons. A teen was stabbed twice in the upper back after 10 to 12 youths chased him like a pack of animals in Clifford Gardens in the final hours of the carnival. The stabbed teenager had been chased by a gang of black youths just yards from where City lawyer Tom Rhys Price, 31, was stabbed to death in a robbery by black youths two years ago.

Melissa Johnson, 18, said: "I heard people screaming and swearing so I came outside. He was lying on the ground on his back with his head on the side. There was blood all on his face." Engineer Robert Dowdy, 40, said: "They chased him up the road like a pack of dogs, yelling and screaming. They were kicking and punching and swinging at him. There were two stab wounds on his upper back."

Chief Inspector Jo Edwards praised 'proactive policing', including stop and search tactics, as authorities sought to avoid a repeat of the shootings and stabbings which had dogged previous years. Last year, two teenagers were shot, while two men were murdered in 2000, and memories of riots in 1976 linger.
Chief Inspector Edwards said: "The number of arrests is up on last year, but that is predominantly because of proactive policing." Police used stop-and-search tactics throughout the carnival and metal detectors at tube station entry points to catch potential criminals.

The man is a fool - or worse:
Tory London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "As a former resident of Ladbroke Grove, I have watched the Notting Hill Carnival go from strength to strength each year to become an internationally acclaimed event. Nothing beats the sounds of the steel pans, the aroma of delicious Caribbean food and the dazzling colours of the costume parade."

LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN COMMONWEALTH CONSTITUTION ?

by Betty Luks
ABC News: 2/9/08. "Voters to be quizzed about local govt in constitution" said the headlines.
"Lismore voters will be asked for their views on the inclusion of local government in the Australian Constitution at council elections later this month. Lismore Mayor Merv King says he is surprised that other councils appear not to have taken the opportunity to canvass voters.
Residents will be asked the question, do you support the inclusion of local government in the Australian Constitution?

Councillor King says questioning voters is only one step on the way to a national referendum on the issue.
"Well I think it's an important question and I'm just sad that more councils didn't take the opportunity to have a referendum," he said. "My understanding of it, we're the only one which is unfortunate, but I think it is a very important question. I mean local government should be recognised in the Australian Constitution. "It would perhaps enable us to be better funded.""

NOT SO MAYOR KING !!
The Social Dynamics DVDs are a must watch for those who don't understand the historical development behind the Commonwealth Constitution Act of 1901 and the reasons why Local Government is NOT in that Act. Australians are being given the 'softly softly catchee monkey' Fabian gradualist-centralist treatment to this absolutely fundamental Commonwealth/State issue.

Local Government existed BEFORE the sheep paddock now known as Canberra - and federal politicians - came into existence. Nowhere will you read or hear about the direct and indirect control exerted by the Money Power when dealing with any of the political/constitutional issues.

Not only are Local Governments and State Governments directed and controlled by the fraudulent Money Power but so are all the nations of the world. There is a section in the Commonwealth Constitution Act enabling State Governments to set up State banks, thus freeing the States from the control of the Commonwealth purse-strings. State banks did once exist - even if they did not function for the real benefit of the people, but they were gutted by gutless politicians.

** Pull out all stops and spread the word that the Social Dynamics DVDs are available free to download on the League's front page of its website: www.alor.org/ .
You - and your fellow Australian - will better understand why it is essential Local Government does not come under the control of the Federal Government. That is a further centralization of power to central government.

Local governments will be simply the administration centres for Canberra's centralized policies - who in turn are merely the minions for International Financial Power.

TWO MAGNIFICENT BOOKS

by James Reed
As always, dedicated League folk do a magnificent job to bring us the finest books and critical literature about the plight of the West, for this I am most grateful.
But this time, I have just read two extraordinary books, sourced elsewhere, about the so-called 'war on terror' : Joseph Stiglitz and Linda Bilmes, "The Three Trillion Dollar War" (Allen Lane, 2008) and Greg Felton "Enemies by Design : Inventing the War on Terrorism" (Tree of Life Books, 2005). Greg Felton in "Enemies by Design" is the most important of these two books because it traces in great scholarly detail, complete with numerous footnotes, the real reason for the war on terror : the US is a mere tool of Israeli foreign policy and is in effect serving Israeli interests.

This has alienated the Arab Muslim world, and has led to the demonisation of Arabs and Muslims. Felton shows how Osama bin Laden was once a useful tool of the West, but fell from grace when his use-by-date was reached. Behind the war on terror lies the thirst for oil. "The Three Trillion Dollar War" by Nobel Prize winner Joseph Stiglitz and Linda Bilmes is an adventure in using conventional economics to produce unconventional results.

Stiglitz and Bilmes calculate the economic cost of the war on terror - three trillion dollars - and outline how this money could have been spent to virtually eliminate the ill-health of the poorest people of the world who lack even safe drinking water. This is a shocking read - exposing the inhumanity of the military-industrial-financial complex. These books are well recommended for anyone concerned about the future of the West.

LETTERS TO THE PRESS

Dear Editor,
Ah! All the crises we face. Following on the crises in mental health care and others we are now hearing of a crisis in general freight movements. "Extra freight truck warning" (Geelong Advertiser August 15) suggests that "The number of trucks on Geelong's roads could triple by 2030 ---" This is the view of Mr. Vernon Knight chairman of the Alliance of Councils for Rail Freight. It is, indeed, true that the rail system is run down, but that is simply a manifestation of the shortage of money.
The increasing use of B-doubles and eventually B-triples is driven by the constant demand for increased productivity. Those who advocate the productivity road avoid defining the term, so I offer my definition. Productivity is getting more production out of the existing workforce or the same output from a smaller workforce.
The farm sector is a prime example of rising productivity. One man today can harvest in an hour what it would have taken his grandfather all day to do. One man today driving a B-double tipper can move as mush grain in one load as would have taken ten men in their three tonne trucks to do in 1950, and get to storage in half the time.
In the 1970's Billy Snedden (Liberal leader) became known as "Productivity" Snedden for his repetitive use of the word in the context of saving the nation's economy. It is strange to hear Labor today enthusiastically embracing the concept.

- - - Yours truly, Ron Fischer http://ronfischer.blogspot.com/

The Editor, The Weekly Times: 22 August, 2008
Dear Sir,
The editorial and articles in WT August 13 referred to Free Trade Agreements and Dumping of product like tinned tomatoes on the Australian market.
For our domestic producers to have to prove that dumping has occurred, they must establish the price, for example, of tinned tomatoes in the country of origin.
This onerous task is simply too difficult and costly to undertake. Furthermore it is a blot on our politicians for accepting such a requirement when the onus should have been put on the exporting country.
The term Free Trade Agreement has a superficial appeal but the detail is quite different. These FTA's are always promoted as creating greater export opportunities for Australia and are enthusiastically supported by Coalition and Labor Governments.
It is acknowledged there are some gains to be achieved but the significance of those gains are debatable. For instance our beef export to the USA would not become totally 'free' for approximately eighteen years from the date of signing.
It is the flip-side of the deal which has the sting. FTA partners are given free access to our markets which delivers two things - namely cheaper goods and loss of domestic production and employment.
The FTA's also place us in a position of not being able to reject certain pork, salmon and apple imports which pose a threat to our clean, green producer status.
Our textile, clothing and footwear production in Australia has been lost. A check the label on almost all goods in stores will reveal a foreign maker's identity. Will Australia pursue sustainable policies of self-sufficiency or continue favouring foreigners?

- - Yours sincerely, Ken Grundy Naracoorte SA