Straight talker
Australian commander in East Timor Brigadier Michael Slater appeared this morning in a live cross from Dili to the Nine Network’s Today show, with helmeted and heavily armed Australian soldiers standing behind him.
He was pressed by Today host Jessica Rowe about whether Dili really was as safe as the Australian military claimed, given the presence of armed soldiers at his shoulder.
Pausing briefly, Brig Slater replied: “Jessica I feel quite safe, yes, but not because I’ve got these armed soldiers behind me that were put there by your stage manager here to make it look good. “I don’t need these guys here.Poor Jessica ran into more trouble when she persisted with her line of questioning, and referred to footage of looting and violence.
Brig Slater told her the pictures were a “couple of days old”.All the above being the main reason I don’t watch morning TV.
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Well I guess they were on hand if the stage manager asked them to stand there, but wouldn’t it be pretty normal to have some level of security around the commanding officer? Not sure what she thinks it proves, even if they hadn’t been treated like props by the media.
It would be normal only if the commander thought it was necessary(and he didn’t) and then they would be out of site in an interview situation.
It’s as it appears, a production to lend emphasis to the drama of the moment. Not a crime to be sure but a bit tacky.