June 3, 2004
DON'T GO SPANIARD ON US:
Bush lashes Latham over Iraq (news.com.au, June 4, 2004)
US President George W. Bush today described as "disastrous" Federal Opposition Leader Mark Latham's plan to withdraw Australian troops from Iraq, saying it would encourage terrorists.Posted by Orrin Judd at June 3, 2004 10:55 PMAfter a breakfast meeting at the White House with Prime Minister John Howard, Mr Bush said Labor's Iraq policy would give hope to enemy factions within Iraq.
Asked directly about Mr Latham's plan, Mr Bush said: "I think that would be disastrous.
"It would be a disastrous decision for the leader of a great country like Australia to say that we're pulling out.
"It would dispirit those who love freedom in Iraq.
"It would say that the Australian Government doesn't see the hope of a free, democratic society (in Iraq).
"It would embolden the enemy to believe that they could shake our will.
"They want to kill innocent life because they think that the Western world and the free world is weak."
Mr Howard reaffirmed Australia's commitment to keep its forces in Iraq until their mission was completed.
I'm an Australian, let me give you the lowdown: Latham didn't say he would withdraw, he just said something along the lines of it would be good to have the job over and Iraqis in charge by christmas or something. Howard seized on that and started pretending Latham was a wuss on Iraq.
Howard is in the U.S now and has met with Bush, I suspect he asked Bush for a little favor, for him to use that world's biggest megaphone he ownes to re-establish the idea that Latham's a looser.
As for us turning 'Spanish', the mere fact that Howard want's Latham tarred as a cut-and-run coward in an election year gives you some sense of where the Australian public stands on the war.
A spanish-style bombing here in Australia would rebound badly on the terrorists, it would inspire rage not fear.
Posted by: Amos at June 3, 2004 11:52 PMSince you've already had on 10/12/02.
And are paying attention to what's going on in your neck of the woods.
Guess it's good that we stayed there until WWII was over. What would have happened if we pulled out sooner?
Posted by: Sandy p at June 4, 2004 12:22 AMThat "great country like Australia" is a very nice slam on Spain. I didn't know he had it in him.
Posted by: David Cohen at June 4, 2004 7:15 AMI don't know, "Sandy P", but I doubt an invasion of the Australian mainland by Japan in the absence of our mighty US protector, if that's what you're implying. Australia had 25 divisions in reserve and would have been fighting on friendly terrain against a Japanese Imperial army with supply lines 1000 km long. Since Australian troops fought much larger and well-equipped Japanese formations to a standstill in Papua and Timor, I doubt the Japs would have had much luck taking on the entire country across a water barrier.
And since, at the time, Australian soldiers were also fighting in Europe, Asia and the Middle East besides U.S and British forces, I think its a bit rich to talk to us like were were France or something.
Screw you.
Posted by: Amos at June 4, 2004 7:37 AM
Oh and one more thing, Australia got into the war in 1939, two years befor America, what might have happened if you'd got in a little earlier, smartass?
Posted by: Amos at June 4, 2004 9:43 AMAmos,
Relax. Whatever Sandy P. meant by his/her remarks, don't assume that all Americans think you needed our protection. I think most of us know that you're not a crew to mess with, and I'm glad to consider you as our friends and allies. No better friends and no worse enemies, as the saying goes.