unreservedly last night to Tania

Zaetta for the bungled leaking of

allegations that she had sex with

Afghanistan-based troops last

month.

The claims were made in a department

''hot issues brief'', which Government

sources say should not have

included names given the nature of

the allegation.

The brief reported unsubstantiated

claims that Zaetta had sex with

Australian special forces soldiers at

the Australian base in Tarin Kowt.

The Government and Defence had

earlier resisted calls from the Opposition

to say sorry to Zaetta. But

Defence spokesman, Brigadier

Andrew Nikolic, apologised

unreservedly last night to ''those

named''.

''An initial document, prepared

internally to brief the minister, did

contain the names but was withdrawn

by Defence within minutes

because of privacy concerns,'' he

said. ''Importantly, the final version

of the document did not include

names.''

The 37-year old radio host and

Bollywood actress was co-host of

1990s television show Who Dares

Wins, which is also the motto of the

Australian SAS.

She strenuously denied the claims,

saying they were hurtful.

''That is the most ridiculous story

I've ever heard about my life and I've

heard plenty over the years in this

industry,'' she said.

Minutes before the apology was

issued, she appeared on commercial

television to call for an apology.

''I know there's not one iota of

truth to it so I'm still inside laughing

it off a little,'' she said. ''I am hurt at

the damage it has caused my name,

rumours do stick with you.''

Zaetta said a personality clash on

the tour might have led to the

allegations. Tour members were

accompanied at all times, even while

walking to the toilets.

Zaetta and veteran performer

Angry Anderson were headline acts

on the 17-day tour that staged