لراوبر ویب پاڼه لراوبر يو افغان – تازه خبرونه
By Nick Squires in Sydney
London-based Australian actress Tania Zaetta has denied allegations that she slept with SAS troopers during a tour last month of Australian military bases in the war-torn country.
The claim was part of a leaked document which has embarrassed the Australian defence department and sparked calls from opposition MPs for a public apology to Ms Zaetta.
The prime minister, Kevin Rudd, confirmed today that the claims were being investigated by defence officials.
“As I understand it, these matters are under investigation within the defence department and I will leave it for that investigation to reach its own conclusions,” said Mr Rudd.
Sydney’s Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that a defence department briefing note had detailed unsubstantiated claims that Zaetta had sex with SAS commandos at one of the bases.
Embarrassed defence department officials admitted they had broken privacy rules by naming Ms Zaetta, who has strenuously denied the allegations.
“That is the absolute first I’ve heard of it. This is the most ridiculous story I’ve heard about my life, and I’ve heard plenty over the years in this industry,” she said.
“It takes the cake. I’ve just done this most amazing life-changing experience, been to the most unbelievable places and for this to be said, it’s very hurtful.”
Zaetta, 37, rose to prominence in Australia in the 1990s as the co-host of a television show called Who Dares Wins – ironically the motto of the Australian SAS.
She went on to feature in a number of Bollywood productions, including a recent Charlie’s Angels-style hit, “Mr. Black, Mr. White.”
The defence minister, Joel Fitzgibbon, said he had ordered an inquiry into how his briefing note – officially referred to as a “hot issue brief” – became public.
The claim was originally said to have been made by another entertainer on the 17-day tour, veteran rock singer ‘Angry’ Anderson, who later denied he had made the allegation.
Opposition MPs said the unfounded allegations should never have been aired and Ms Zaetta deserved an apology from the government.
Opposition defence spokesman Nick Minchin, who travelled on a transport aircraft with Zaetta and Anderson during the tour, has demanded an explanation from Mr Fitzgibbon.
“This is a gross invasion of her privacy,” said opposition defence spokesman Nick Minchin.
“It is very unfortunate and I think Mr Fitzgibbon … should apologise publicly to her. This is an extraordinary invasion of her privacy.
“It is deeply concerning that these unsubstantiated allegations have been publicly aired, especially as Ms Zaetta strenuously denies the rumours,” he said.
In interviews given to publicise the tour of Afghanistan and Iraq, which was filmed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Ms Zaetta said: “I’m single and there has been a lot of teasing that I am going into a place where they haven’t seen girls for a long time. If you can’t get a date out there then you’ve got no hope.”