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A Bollywood starlet who made her name going beyond the call of duty in Who Dares Wins, an Australian TV stunt show, has been accused of having sex with soldiers while on a tour to entertain troops in Afghanistan.
Tania Zaetta (above) was named in a confidential briefing paper to Australia’s Defence Minister as having slept with special forces soldiers last month at a military base in Tarin Kowt, the capital of Oruzgan province. Pictures and a video were said to have been taken.
But Australia’s military was in retreat last night, admitting that it broke its privacy regulations by naming the actress, 37, in the confidential note intended for Joel Fitzgibbon, the Defence Minister.
The Defence Department apologised to Zaetta for the leak, and Mr Fitzgibbon said he had ordered an inquiry into how the document — officially referred to as a “hot issues brief” — became public.
Zaetta, who has appeared on Baywatch and Mission Implausible, a British pay-TV show, denied the allegations and said there had been little opportunity to be alone with any soldier, even if she had wanted to be.
“How does a supposed document . . . that I don’t know about get leaked in the first place — that’s a little bit concerning about the security of the country,” she said.
“It’s complete lies . . . apart from being hurtful, it’s damaging to a woman’s career, to her reputation.” The Government now faces a potential compensation payout after she sought legal advice over the claims, which the document said had been made by Angry Anderson, a veteran Australian rock star and fellow tour performer.
Kevin Rudd, the Prime Minister, reluctantly commented on the scandal, which drew criticism from the opposition conservative Liberal Party over invasion of privacy. “These matters are under investigation within the Defence Department and I will leave it for that investigation to reach its own conclusions,” Mr Rudd said.
Anderson, the bald former frontman for the rock band Rose Tattoo, denied that he had made a complaint.
Another performer said the entertainers had been told that they would breach Defence Force regulations if they fraternised with the troops. “I have heard of quickies but I have never heard of anything that quick . . . a tour like that is hard work,” John Clinton, of the country rock band the Wolverines, said.
Zaetta co-hosted the 1990s television show Who Dares Wins. She has featured in several Bollywood productions including a recent Charlie’s Angels-style hit, Mr. Black, Mr. White.
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If two consenting adults have sex, what is the problem? The word 'accused' should not be used. Whether or not Ms Zaetta slept with any soldiers, she has done nothing wrong.
Rowan, Oxford,
I suspect when the inquiry finishes, they'll find the source of the leak in defence recruiting.
Murray, Brissie, Australia
'Accused'? If the alleged intimacy took place, there is no implication that it was anything other than consensual. Is sex now illegal in the Australian Defence Force? Why in the PM involved? It's what soldiers do. What is very wrong is that some idiot has leaked the presence of SAS in that theatre.
George, Montrose, UK
If she did she should be given a medal for going beyond the call of duty
Rich , edinburgh, uk
Oh no... woman has sex.... and boosts the morale of the troops (or at least some of them) in the process. What is this world coming to?!! I hava a sneaky feeling there are more important things to worry about.
Garley, London, UK
My great grandmother used to reply to this type of thing by saying "it's her body and she can boil peas in it if she wants to".
Greg, Sydney,
She needs to think of the consequences!!
Mir, Sydney,
Tania will also be remembered as being the world's oldest living 'starlet' at 37.
Jon, North West, UK
Who she has sex with is her business. I've never heard of sex with a soldier (or for that matter dozens of soldiers) being illegal.
Buddy, La Marque, USA
i note the use of the word 'accused', and that another poster used the word 'guilty'. obviously women having sex should be tried to the full extent of the law. seriously tho, what a beat up!
tracey, sydney,
This is shameful, filthy...disgusting!!
How DARE she have sex...with anyone else but me!?
Garth Strong, SanFrancisco, USA
and her having sex with soldiers is bad why..?
Matt, North Liberty, Iowa, US
If true, it is really sad for Asia and Asian morals
Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
I don't see how this is a bad thing, definitely not news worthy.
A soldiers dream come true!
James, Arlington VA, USA
Surely this is a 'hot briefs' issue.
David Leslie, Perth, Scotland
So what she is a beautiful woman and obviously very, very good for morale. Lucky soldiers;-)
Richard K, Nottingham,
pretty young thing...good for her...and made some guy's whole tour...
Wil, Rock Tavern, NY, USA
Since when is it a crime to shag Aussie special forces? What's the charge? "Placing them in harm's whoopee"?
Eugene, heidelberg, germany
What part of "entertaining" dont you guys understand. She went there to entertain the lads and she used all her talents. We should be praising the young lady for actually doing what she went there to do.
Well done.
steve, Virginia , U.S.
They're Diggers, not Squaddies. The difference is that Diggers can wear their uniforms in public without copping abuse.
Matt, Hunter Valley, NSW Australia
The leaked document was referred to as a hot issues brief.
Shouldn't that be "hot brief issues"?
Dilip Dhokia, Bradford, UK
If she did, it would be in the bold tradition of Marlene Deitrich!
George, Pittsburgh, USA
The Taliban would have been happy to accept her services, I am sure. By keeping our troops happy,Tania has displayed her deep sense of loyalties. I recommend that she be honored for her services to the nation in our war against terror. Keep it up Tania !!
TWO CENTS, LONDON, U.K.
Does this seem likely? I mean, AUSTRALIAN squaddies!!!!!!
Bill Peter, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
How is this a bad thing?Why isn't she being given an order or something?
Chuck U. Farley, Kumquat Falls, Wisconsin,USA
Having solved all the other problems in Afghanistan, we now move on to the shocking scandal of attractive young women having sex with attractive young men. Nice reporting kids.
Don, Gyoda, Japan
I think people should not be too hasty in condemning her until she's really proven guilty.
David, Sabah, Malaysia
Well, I for one certainly hope she did it, and that someone had the good sense to film it.
Linda, Lincolnshire, Middle Earth
She's hardly a Bollywood starlet. Most Indian actresses would have appeared in about 50 movies by the time they have reached thirty. She appeared in a minor role in Bunty Aur Babli, and another minor role in Salaam Namaste. Her Italian father and Australian mother won't be best pleased!
Samantha Kumar, London, UK
Leave the poor woman alone! Its her PRIVATE life and no one elses business!
Sue B, Shoreham, UK
Nothing surprises!
Krishna R. Kumar, Udupi, India
And...She there to raise moral, wasn't she?
Tb, Luxembourg,
So what if she did? Guess what: people do...
Nick, Rotherham, UK