Osama admirer denies terrorist link
The Age Wednesday 11 June 2003, 6:30 AM
A former Qantas baggage handler accused of being an al-Qaeda operative in Australia has strongly denied the claim, but describes Osama bin Laden as a "a good man".
Bilal Khazal worked at Sydney's international airport in the lead-up to the 2000 Olympics and a US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) report has linked him to al-Qaeda.
The report, dated mid-June 2002 and based on intelligence from the Palestinian Authority, alleged he was planning attacks on US interests in Venezuela and the Philippines.
But Mr Khazal has told Channel Nine's A Current Affair program he does not have links to al-Qaeda but said he, "like any Muslim", believed Osama bin Laden was a good man.
He denied he had ever been to Afghanistan or met bin Laden, the head of al-Qaeda and the world's most wanted man.
"What do I think about him (bin Laden)? Like any Muslim. Like any Muslim ... (I) think he's good man," Mr Khazal said.
Transport Minister John Anderson said new security arrangements would stop people with suspected terrorist links being employed.
"People who hold ASIC cards, airport security cards, will now all face the toughest and most stringent background checks of any country in the western world including checks for political involvement and attitude," Mr Anderson said.
The secret CIA report said "the al-Qaeda leadership has allegedly delegated responsibility to Bilal Abdallah Khazal".
"Khazal is reportedly planning an explosives attack against some US embassies and the current target is in Venezuela," it said.
"Khazal also has plans to attack with explosives US interest in the Philippines."
The CIA reported that Mr Khazal was born in Northern Lebanon and moved to Australia in 1989, living on the outskirts of Lakemba in Sydney's southwest with his wife and two children.
He came to Australian authorities attention during a security review at Sydney airport and has since had his passport confiscated while he is investigated.
Mr Khazal told A Current Affair he left his job with Qantas because of a back problem.
He now runs an internet site for the Islamic Youth Movement in Sydney.