MALAYSIA AIRLINES PLANE SHOT DOWN.

AN angry Prime Minister Tony Abbott has demanded an independent inquiry into the downing of a Malaysian jetliner after criticising Russia’s response as being “deeply, deeply unsatisfactory.”

“I have to tell you that the initial response of the Russian ambassador was to blame Ukraine for this, and I have to say that this is deeply, deeply unsatisfactory,” he said, saying the crash was “not an accident, but a crime”.

“The idea that Russia can somehow say that none of this has anything to do with them, because it happened in Ukrainian airspace, frankly does not stand up to any serious scrutiny,” Mr Abbott told reporters in Canberra.

He also warned Russia not to stand in the way of an independent international investigation.

Mr Abbott said Australia would press the UN Security Council to initiate an international investigation of what has been described as a terrorist attack.

“Russia should certainly not be allowed to stand in the way of that just because the aircraft has come down over territory controlled by Russian-backed rebels.

Russia, a permanent member of the council, can exercise a right of veto over any move.

His comments about Russia as Foreign Minister Julie Bishop confirmed the Australian death toll has risen to 28 after she summoned Russia’s ambassador to explain how this shocking attack occurred.
Source