ADF says sorry for naming Zaetta
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 23 May 2008: 5.
Show highlighting
Abstract
THE Australian Defence Force has issued an “unreserved apology” to entertainer Tania Zaetta after naming her in a ministerial briefing document detailing an investigation into allegations she had sex with soldiers while in Afghanistan.
Zaetta told the Nine Network’s A Current Affair the allegations that she had sex with soldiers while on a 17-day entertainment tour were “immensely hurtful” and could damage her reputation and career.
The veteran rocker told Sydney radio station WSFM he doubted “very, very, very much” that Zaetta had had sex with Australiansoldiers.
Full Text
THE Australian Defence Force has issued an “unreserved apology” to entertainer Tania Zaetta after naming her in a ministerial briefing document detailing an investigation into allegations she had sex with soldiers while in Afghanistan.
In a statement yesterday, Defence Department spokesman Brigadier Andrew Nikolic said: “We are unaware how that unauthorised disclosure occurred, but we apologise unreservedly to those named.”
Zaetta told the Nine Network’s A Current Affair the allegations that she had sex with soldiers while on a 17-day entertainment tour were “immensely hurtful” and could damage her reputation and career.
Sydney’s Daily Telegraph newspaper reported yesterday that the Defence note, prepared for Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon, named singer Angry Anderson, who also took part in the tour, as the source of the claims. He allegedly told the Australian Defence Force entertainment division he had been informed by special forces soldiers that while Zaetta was at Tarin Kowt in Afghanistan, she had had sex with them and they had photographs and video to prove it.
Yesterday Anderson said he was “incredulous” at the story.
The veteran rocker told Sydney radio station WSFM he doubted “very, very, very much” that Zaetta had had sex with Australiansoldiers.
He described her as very professional. Zaetta hit out at the “horrible, disgusting, vicious, nasty allegations”.
“It’s very hurtful if this has come from Angry somehow.”
She said the allegations would be damaging to her in India, where she is a film star, telling ACA host Tracy Grimshaw sex scandals were not “taken lightly” on the subcontinent.
Brigadier Nikolic said Zaetta’s name had appeared in an early version of the document.
Sources close to the Special Air Service Regiment expressed scepticism that troops could have been involved in such an escapade. An SAS veteran said the soldiers “would know that something like this would have a big impact on wives and girlfriends back home. It seems to me like somebody has an agenda in raising these claims.”
Credit: John Stapleton
RELATED COPY NOT SURE IF RUN
RELATED COPY NOT SURE IF RUN
John Stapleton
Wires
THE rock singer Angry Anderson has described the prospect of Bollywood entertainer and television celebrity Tania Zaetta indulging in a sex romp with Australian soldiers in Afghanistan as very unlikely.
Wires
THE rock singer Angry Anderson has described the prospect of Bollywood entertainer and television celebrity Tania Zaetta indulging in a sex romp with Australian soldiers in Afghanistan as very unlikely.
The accusations that the star had sex with soldiers at an Australian base in Tarin Kowt in Afghanistan have created a media storm.
The claims surfaced in a Department of Defence briefing document submitted to Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon.
The actress has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as hurtful and ridiculous.
Sources close to the Special Air Service Regiment have also expressed scepticism that troops could have been involved in a sex romp with visiting armed forces entertainer, TV and radio personality, Tania Zaetta.
The actress has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as hurtful and ridiculous.
Sources close to the Special Air Service Regiment have also expressed scepticism that troops could have been involved in a sex romp with visiting armed forces entertainer, TV and radio personality, Tania Zaetta.
Anderson, who was on the same 17-day tour as Zaetta, during which they performed a number of concerts for Australian soldiers serving in both Iraq and Afghanisatan, told Sydney radio station WSFM he doubted “very, very, very much” that she had sex with Australian soldiers.
Sydney’s Daily Telegraph reported that the defence department document named Anderson as the source of the unsubstantiated claims. He allegedly told the defence force entertainment division he had been informed by special forces soldiers that while Zaetta was at Tarin Kowt she had sex with them and they had the photos and video to prove it.
While he has not directly denied he was the source of the story, Anderson has said he found the story “incredulous”.
“I am not a moralist. I learned along time ago that it is folly to moralise,” Anderson said. “I don’t moralise about people’s lives.
“I am not a moralist. I learned along time ago that it is folly to moralise,” Anderson said. “I don’t moralise about people’s lives.
“I doubt very, very, very much – I have only seen all the girls conduct themselves in a very, very professional manner and certainly Tania, because she is a very professional person.
“She has been in the industry long enough to know what she can and can’t do and what she can get away with.”
Tania Zaetta, 37, has vigorously denied the claims. “That is the most ridiculous story I’ve ever 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.”
Tania Zaetta, 37, has vigorously denied the claims. “That is the most ridiculous story I’ve ever 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.”
Her agent Max Markson did not return calls.
A Defence Department spokeswoman said they were aware of the allegations and were investigating accordingly. She said they were unlikely to make any further statement on the issue today.
A Defence Department spokeswoman said they were aware of the allegations and were investigating accordingly. She said they were unlikely to make any further statement on the issue today.
Opposition Defence spokesman Nick Minchin has slammed the department over the controversy and said the government should apologise.
In a statement he described the leaking of the story as a gross and extraordinary invasion of her privacy. “How did these stories reach the newspapers?” he asked. “Mr Fitzgibbon must immediately investigate who in the Department of Defence or his office leaked this story. And then he must explain how that person has been dealt with and what will be done to stop such slurs being leaked in the future.”
Mr Minchin said it was deeply concerning that the unsubstantiated allegations have been publicly aired, “especially as Ms Zaetta strenuously denies the rumours.”
A member of a band which toured Afghanistan with Zaetta dismissed the reports, saying those on tour were too busy to get up to any mischief.
“I’ve heard of quickies mate, but you’d have to be really quick – we didn’t have time to do anything,” John Clinton, from the country rock band The Wolverines, told Macquarie Radio.
He said the touring party had no time to fraternise with troops and were closely monitored by the defence force at all times.
“They did a roll call before we took off, we had a roll call when we got there,” he said. “It’s not as if you can go missing. I can’t see where that sort of thing could have happened.”
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said he had seen the reports and understood an investigation by the defence department was underway. “I will leave it for that investigation to reach its own conclusions,” he said.
SOURCES close to the Special Air Service Regiment yesterday expresed scepticism troops had been involved in a sex romp with visiting armed forces entertainer, TV and radio personality, Tania Zaetta.
“They (SAS) would know that something like this would have a big impact on wives and girlfriends back home – I’d be holding off on this one,” said one former member who asked not to be named.
“It seems to me like somebody has an agenda in raising these claims,” the SAS veteran said.
The federal Opposition has called on the Rudd Government to explain how unsubstantiated sex allegations involving TV and radio identity Tania Zaetta and Australian special forces soldiers were splashed across newspaper front pages yesterday.
The claims allege Ms Zaetta had sex with members of the Special Air Service Regiment at their frontline base in Tarin Kowt during a so-called entertainers Tour de Force earlier this year.
The initial claims were allegedly raised by Australian rock and roll icon, Angry Anderson, one of the armed forces tour group but he has rejected the charge.
Ms Zaetta, 37, a radio host, part-time Bollywood actress and former host of the commercial television show, Who Dares Wins, has also strongly denied the allegations.
Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said yesterday, he first learnt of the allegations on May 15 after receiving a Department of Defence “Hot Issues Brief” informing of innapropriate conduct during a recent Forces Entertainment Tour of the Middle East Area of Operations.
Mr Fitzgibbon has asked Dwefence what measures are in place to test the necessity of using names in such briefs, a ministerial spokesman said.
“Furthur, the minister has directed that an inquiry be held into how this particular brief came to be made public,” he said.
Yesterday, Kevin Rudd said the defence department was investigating the claims and refused furthur comment on the matter.
“I’ll leave it for that investigation to reach its own conclusions,” Mr Rudd said.
Opposition defence spokesman, Nick Minchin said Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon needed to explain how the allegations became public since they were based on a briefing note provided by the minister’s office.
Opposition defence spokesman, Nick Minchin said Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon needed to explain how the allegations became public since they were based on a briefing note provided by the minister’s office.
“It is deeply concerning that these unsubstantiated allegations have been publicly aired, especially as Ms Zaetta strenuously denies the rumours.
“Entertainers such as Ms Zaetta and Angry Anderson should be thanked for visiting our troops in the fiels – not be subject to tawdry innuendo.“How did these stories reach the newspapers? Mr Fitzgibbon must immediately investigate who in the department of defence or his office leaked the story,” Mr Minchin said.