(English) Foreign Minister Julie Bishop wants the US and Russia to join forces to bring down Islamic State

IMMIGRATION Minister Peter Dutton has called on the Grand Mufti of Australia to “clarify his comments” made in the wake of the Paris attack.
Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed was widely criticised after he issued a statement yesterday which said “causative factors” of the terror attacks were racism and Islamophobia, with some labelling his comments as a “disgrace”.
Mr Dutton said today that Dr Mohammed should explain his comments without delay.
“I think the opportunity is there today for the Grand Mufti to come out and clarify his comments and make it very clear that he condemns these acts of terrorism, these murderous acts, without reservation as other leaders have done,” he told Macquarie radio.“And I think the opportunity is there for him to do it sooner rather than later.
“It should be done today so that people can’t be left in two minds about how strongly he feels and it should be as strong as the rest of us.”
Mr Dutton called on everyone in a position of leadership to “make it clear” they condemned ISIS to “hopefully deter” like-minded people from carrying out attacks.
“There is no qualification to it. There is no reason. There is no justification,” he said.
Innovation Minister Christopher Pyne said discussion about the Paris attacks must not be reduced to a debate over “who said what” in Australia.
“This is far too serious a matter to reduce to a discussion around whether people are satisfied or not of a particular person in the Muslim community,” he said.
“Everyone is horrified by what happened in Paris on the weekend.
“I don’t want to extend the debate about the Grand Mufti’s comments. He is answerable for his own discussions.
“But I have been very comfortable with the reaction of the Muslim community in Australia.
Defence Minister Marise Payne said she didn’t “have a particular view” on the Grand Mufti’s statements.“The actions of those in Paris must be, should be condemned with the utmost rigour,” she said.
“That is the position I take and the Government takes.”MEANWHILE, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says she hopes the United States and Russia will band together to form a single coalition against Islamic State.
US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down for crucial talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Turkey, just days after the brutal terrorist attack on Paris that claimed 129 lives.Speaking from Manila ahead of the APEC summit today, Ms Bishop said it was hoped a single coalition would be formed.
“We have about 780 defence personnel deployed to the Middle East,” Ms Bishop told Channel Nine.“At least 300 of them are in Iraq training the Iraqi security forces and the balance are involved in air strikes.
“We have six of our FA-18 Hornets there plus backup planes, so we’re already making a significant contribution, I believe, second largest to the United States.“But, of course, given that the US and Russia hopefully are forming a single coalition, we’ll continue to work closely with them to ensure that Australia continues to play its part in seeking to disrupt and destroy Daesh, this horrific terrorist organisation”.
Ms Bishop said Australia would consider any other proposal put to them by the United States, including putting troops on the ground.