Fed: Political leaders express sympathy over Aust death
The nation's political leaders have expressed their sympathies to the family of thefirst Australian killed in the war on terror in Afghanistan.
The soldier with the crack Special Air Service Regiment was in a vehicle with fourother troops that drove over an anti-tank mine in southern Afghanistan.
While the other four soldiers escaped, the Perth-based member of the SAS suffered fatal injuries.
The Prime Minister, JOHN HOWARD, in expressing his sympathies says he is saddened by the death.
Defence Minister ROBERT HILL says the tragic incident highlighted the dangers facedby Australian forces in Afghanistan.
Army chief Lieutenant General PETER COSGROVE says the soldier's family had been informedand they had requested his name not be released at this stage.
Opposition Leader SIMON CREAN says although Australia has joined the war on terror,it was the nation's families that will pay the ultimate price.
About 150 SASR soldiers are in Afghanistan, which is believed to be the world's mostheavily mined nation.
AAP RTV sw/pc/wz
KEYWORD: AFGHAN AUST DEATH (CANBERRA)
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