The article
TERRY Hicks says he can’t remember how many times he has spoken publicly about his son David.

He can’t even put a figure on how much of the past four years and four months he has spent away from his Adelaide home and his family, campaigning for his son’s release.

He appears much older than when he first entered the public arena, the lines on his face haven’t come from a lifetime of smiles.

They are a result of the anguish in having his only son incarcerated at Guantanomo Bay.

Almost every seat in the lecture theatre is occupied with those wanting to hear this reluctant public figure who but for an unkind twist of fate could just be any other Australian father.

He composes himself and steps up to the lectern, gripping it tightly as he once again recounts David’s story.

Stupid rocket launcher

“The first thing I want to do tonight is set the record straight about David with regard to a couple of things,’’ Hicks states.

“That photo of him with the rocket launcher, the one with everybody else blacked out, wasn’t taken in Afghanistan or on any frontline, it’s from Kosovo.’’

“It was a posed photo and the stupid rocket launcher didn’t even work.’’

“This is just one example of the demonisation of David Hicks by the Three Stooges, Howard, Hill and Ruddock.’’

“Senator Hill called him one of the 20 worst people in the world, I wrote to him and enquired who the other 19 were.’’

Prior to what Mr Hicks describes as David’s kidnapping from Afghanistan Terry had never travelled outside Australia. And although he acknowledges David Hicks’ Taliban links, says he never fired a shot in anger.

“That’s something else the US and Australian Governments’ won’t tell you.’’

“David heard about the 9/11 attacks after they happened, and decided it was time to get out of there and come home.’’

“The Americans were offering the Northern Alliance big money for foreign fighters and he was set up and captured at his hotel, not on a battlefield.’’

“Do you know how close the Americans were when David was taken … 38,000 feet away, straight above in their planes.’’

No evidence he’s fired a single shot in anger

“They, the Americans, don’t even have any evidence he’s fired a single shot in anger at anybody.’’

Mr Hicks then outlines how David Hicks ended up in Kosovo.

“David had been in Japan for two years training racehorses.’’

“He rang me one night after watching news of the ongoing genocide in Kosovo and told me he had joined the KLA, Kosovo Liberation Army.’’

“Silly me, I told him they were a big airline and it sounded like a good job that could take you places.’’

“He just wanted to help in some way, he cared about those people.’’

What frustrates Mr Hicks more than anything is the accusation that David’s lawyers are delaying the military commission.

“The British have tried to see him and swear him in as a citizen twice, the Americans won’t let them in to the prison to do it.’’

“What does that say about the Australian Government, I have to hope that Tony Blair can help David because John Howard is spineless.’’

Through the presentation Mr Hicks details how his son has spent 18 months in solitary confinement, for telling the Australian Consul about his mistreatment, without a window and only being allowed out one-hour per week to exercise.

“In addition he has to suffer sleep deprivation, physical torture, malnutrition, an insect infested cell and having letters from his family withheld from him.’’

“The Americans then claim that “intelligence’’ gained from this treatment has implicated David in all manner of things.’’

“Nearly everyone in Guantanomo Bay has confessed to meeting Osama Bin Laden, even though when MI5 cross reference it none of the confessions match up to their intelligence.’’ 

I am an ex-WW2 serviceman

Mr Hicks then outlines how two reports on David’s mistreatment have disappeared.

A lady from the audience interjects and asks ‘’how is David doing?’’

Mr Hicks’ eyes glaze over as tears well up while attempting to compose himself and answer the question.

“He’s really struggling, if he wasn’t able to see his lawyer I think that maybe the end of him.’’

A woman in the front row breaks down in tears as she listens to Mr Hicks’ story.

The scene unleashes a torrent of support for Mr Hicks with an elderly gentleman seated at the back of the hall standing to address the crowd.

“I am an ex WW2 serviceman and what’s happening to David makes me ashamed to be an Australian, this isn’t what I fought for.’’

He receives a standing ovation.

“Don’t be ashamed to be an Australian, be ashamed of the Government and remember who put them there,’’ Mr Hicks replies.

“David knows he has a great deal of support back home and that helps to keep him going.’’