Australians smell cover-up over Kovco death

Simon Winter
Ninemsn
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Australians disagree with Prime Minister John Howard's assertion there has been no cover-up surrounding the death of Private Jake Kovco in Iraq.
A ninemsn news poll conducted among more than 50000 readers has found 83 percent believe there has been an intentional cover-up over the details of the army sniper's death.
Private Kovco, who was buried yesterday at Briagolong in country Victoria — became Australia's first Iraq casualty when he was shot by a bullet from his own gun on April 21.
Only 17 percent of ninemsn readers believe the military — and the government — have been honest in the information they've released concerning Kovco's death.
The 25 year-old was initially said to have shot himself accidentally while cleaning his gun.
But Defence Minister Dr Brendon Nelson later contradicted that report, saying the army sniper hadn't been cleaning his gun when it discharged.
A coroner's report concluded his death was not suicide, suggesting the gun was "accidentally" fired by something or someone else in the room.
May 02, 2006