Australia rejects apology demand for Iraq shooting

[Barrett808]

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister John Howard said on Friday it would be inappropriate to apologize to

Iraq yet for the killing of an Iraqi government bodyguard by Australian troops in a shooting mishap in Baghdad.

Australia is trying to negotiate new wheat deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars but Iraqi Trade Minister Abdul Falah al-Sudany has called for an apology for the shooting and threatened to reconsider trade deals with Australia.

Australian soldiers mistakenly opened fire on Sudany's bodyguards on Wednesday, killing one and wounding three people.

Howard said he was sorry the man had been killed but he wanted to know all the facts before he would consider a formal apology or accept any blame.

"Until I know what's happened it's not appropriate to be flinging out apologies," Howard told Australian television.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060623/wl_nm/iraq_australia_dc

[Redstone]

1. Well, we all know how good Australia is about dealing with Brown People.

Beneath that "fair dinkum, good on yer, mate" exterior is a strong streak of racism.

Redstone

[Blackthorn]

3. As an Australian, I resent the crass generalisation...

that we're all racists. Racism in Australia is no different to racism in America. It is something that is perpetuated and stirred up by media and government through fear based propaganda. Surely you'd resent the implication that all Americans are racists, simply because it isn't true. DU is proof of that.

Racism is not an inherent trait, its one borne, perpetuated and manipulated by government for their own nefarious purposes.

[LynnTheDem]

2. But it is "appropriate" to fling bullets.

IF you're one of the illegal invaders, that is.

Fight back and you're a terra-ist. Of course.

Rightwingnuts, ALL of them; stupidest MFers ever.