The parents of Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin, who died on flight MH17, pose powerful question to political heavyweights

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been asked a powerful question about America’s support for Australia’s quest to get justice for the families of victims of the downing of MH17.

THE parents of three Australian children killed when a Russian missile shot down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 have taken their quest for justice to the White House.

Concerned that the United States might be easing pressure on Moscow over the deaths of 294 passengers and crew in 2014, Anthony Maslin and wife Marite Norris drafted an emotional message to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Mr Pompeo was pressed on what steps the US was taking to hold Russia to account, given increasing dialogue between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Marite Norris and Anthony Maslin got their point across to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Picture: Ten News

In a question asked on behalf of the family, whose children “Mo, Evie and Otis were murdered on flight MH17 along with their grandfather along with 294 other innocent people”, an Australian reporter described their ongoing devastation.

“This is a question on their behalf, in their words: That the plane was hit by a Russian missile has been proven to be an irrefutable fact,” Seven News reporter Ashlee Mullany said.

“That this killed our three beautiful children and their grandfather, and destroyed our life and many other lives ... is an irrefutable fact.

“Secretary Pompeo, will the United States, our friend and ally, help Australia hold Russia to account, and how?”

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was asked a tough question by a reporter on behalf of the Maslin family. Picture: Getty

Offering his “condolences to the family”, Mr Pompeo said the US would continue to seek justice for the MH17 victims,

“It is indeed a tragedy. The United States has already been a great partner for the Netherlands and with Australia in trying to identify who shot down this plane,” Mr Pompeo said.

“We need the Russians to continue to be held to account for that; we take this matter seriously and we committed over these last two days as we have for the last months to continue to support every effort through the joint investigative team to hold the perpetrators of this heinous activity.

“You have America’s support in that and will continue to do so.”

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on how the United States is holding Russia to account for the downing of #MH17, which killed 298 people, including 38 Australians. @nbcbayarea pic.twitter.com/47bSjdjqHR

— Bob Redell (@BobNBC) July 24, 2018

Secretary Pompeo was speaking at AUSMIN, an annual US and Australia dialogue being held at Stanford University at Palo Alto, near San Francisco.

The two-day summit between Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Defence Minister Marise Payne, and their US counterparts, Defence Secretary James Mattis and Secretary Pompeo, discussed a wide range of issues including cyber crime, the US and Australian military alliance and China’s growing presence in the South China Sea.

Pressuring North Korea to continue towards denuclearisation, terrorism in the Middle East and increased engagement in the Pacific were also canvassed.

Mr Pompeo said “we’re proud to call Australia one of our best friends and strongest allies”.

“The United States and Australia both know we can count on each other constantly, even as challenges present themselves in an era of great competition and uncertainty,” Mr Pompeo said.

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop and Australian Minister for Defence Marise Payne (L) at the press conference. Picture: Getty Images

He also lauded the strength of Australia’s economic ties with America.

“The economic relationship between our two countries is unrivaled in the world, and I think everyone in the region should know that,” he said.

General Mattis lauded Australia’s loyalty to the US.

“Australia has been an unwavering friend standing with us through thick and thin, and it was demonstrated by being the first ally on the ground beside us in Afghanistan following the 9/11 attack on America, an attack that cost 11 Australian citizens their lives during the hit on New York City,” General Mattis said.

“We don’t forget the families of your soldiers who have fallen alongside us. I’m confident our enduring and unflappable mateship will continue to grow and flourish for another one hundred years.”

Debris from Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. Picture: AFP

Ms Bishop later dismissed a question whether Australia’s relationship with the US could suffer the same fate as its traditional allies, Canada and the UK, which are both bristling under sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.

“From my perspective the relationship is as deep and as strong as it’s ever been,” Ms Bishop said.

“We don’t always agree with the United States and the United States doesn’t always agree with us but we are able to work through any differences in a very positive and constructive way.

“The relationship between the United States and Australia is long-standing, deep and enduring.”

Ms Bishop had made securing US support for Australian efforts at Russian accountability for MH17 one of her priorities going into the summit. Russia has never accepted responsibility for the attack.

“We are grateful for the support that they give us in relation to a matter that is very dear and personal to the hearts of all Australians,” she said.

Originally published as The parents of Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin, who died on flight MH17, pose powerful question to political heavyweights