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PRIME Minister John Howard must urge the US to grant Australian terrorist suspect David Hicks a civil trial, Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said today.

The federal Labor leader made the call today as news emerged that the British Government would not press for Hicks's release from the US military-run Guantanamo Bay detention centre, in Cuba, despite his success in claiming dual citizenship.

"I think the British Government would probably take the view that irrespective of any claims on nationally, David Hicks is an Australian responsibility," Mr Beazley said in Melbourne.

"It is the Australian Government's responsibility to say what ought to happen to David Hicks now.

"(And) if John Howard believes he has a special relationship with (US President George) Bush he ought to be bring that special relationship to bear to get David Hicks a fair civil trial in the United States."

SOURCE: Daily Telegraph, Australia