SYDNEY: Latham criticised over policy reversal on Iraq

[struggle4progress]

Australia’s opposition Labor leader Mark Latham was accused by the Government today of making a U-turn on his Iraq policy by suggesting he may favour keeping troops in Baghdad to protect diplomatic staff.

The charge followed an interview in which Latham said a Labor Government would take advice from the foreign affairs department on what was needed to protect the diplomats.
<snip>

Latham’s remark followed a week of intensifying US pressure over his pledge to withdraw the troops, which has caused a major rift in his relations with the US administration, raising concerns about the future of the Australia-US alliance.

While Australia has fewer than 900 military personnel in Iraq — protecting diplomats, instructing the new Iraq army or staffing the control tower at Baghdad airport — their deployment now looms as a major issue in the election Prime Minister John Howard is expected to call in October or November.
<snip>

http://www.emedia.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/World/20040612080950/Article/indexb_html

[rooboy]

1. For more information on Howard government POLICIES..

visit www.gop.com

[struggle4progress]

2. Howie's riding with the horse thieves. That's not good.

[markses]

3. Pretty desperate on Howard's part

Latham: I'll remove all troops from Iraq.

Bush: Wah Wah Wah Watch me interfere in foreign elections Wah Wah

Howard: Bark bark pant pant pant

Latham: Well, after consultation we may need to lkeep just those troops necessary to protect embassy staff.

Howard: Flip Flop! Flip Flop!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Is this really the best they can do. I think the Australian people are too damn smart for Howard's latest shenanigans.

[struggle4progress]

5. I'd laugh if *&co weren't so friggin ugly!

[dArKeR]

4. Australian opposition could damage ties, US warns

REUTERS , CANBERRA
Saturday, Jun 12, 2004,Page 5

US officials have stepped up pressure on Australia's opposition Labor party to drop its promise to withdraw Australian troops from Iraq if it came to power this year, warning this could damage bilateral ties.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage have joined President George W. Bush and US Trade Representative Bob Zoellick in condemning Labor leader Mark Latham's plans for pulling out troops from Iraq.

Armitage warned that Latham's vow to bring Australia's 850 soldiers home by Christmas if he won the election could put the two nations' 53-year-old alliance at risk as he could not pick and choose aspects of the relationship.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/06/12/2003174749

The Reagan/Bush/Republican legacy; blackmail, torture, and murder.

[exploited]

6. 'No wavering' on Iraq troops

There has been no change of Labor policy as the result of the US "with us or against us" threats. Latham (unlike Howard) has remained true to his word on Iraq. If he is elected the bulk of Aus troops WILL BE brought home by Christmas. A small contingent (10%) may remain to protect diplomats depending on the situation at the time. Nothing has changed, except the opposition's media spin.


http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,9822111%255E28101,00.html
FEDERAL Opposition Leader Mark Latham today disputed reports he was wavering on his pledge to bring troops home from Iraq by Christmas.

Mr Latham said reports in today's media which indicated he was back-peddling on the commitment were simply wrong.

"That report on the front of the Weekend Australian newspaper today is absolutely untrue and absolute nonsense," Mr Latham told journalists outside Queensland's Labor Party conference in Brisbane.

"Our policy hasn't changed.

"In March, in announcing our commitment about the troops in Iraq, we said three things: the first is our intention to have them back by Christmas, second, in doing that we would rely on a federal election this year, say in September, and the third thing we said is that in relation to security and the protection of the Australian diplomatic mission in Baghdad, we would take the advice of the foreign affairs security officials.

[struggle4progress]

9. Thanks for this!

And welcome to DU! :toast:

[interupt]

7. WTF is this shit?

Uh excuse me....can I add something.

We are talking about the alliance right? You know the word ALLIANCE?! not OCCUPATION TREATY.

Do love the 'cannot pick and choose' section of this statement as its exactly what has been done in relation to almost every other diplomatic treaty in the history of the world.

Just let them keep on talking. Ive started hearing it in the office that co-workers are getting shitty over this holier than thou attitude the Administration has started to take against Latham. Its poles apart from Howard and hey, thats something to vote for

[struggle4progress]

10. The Bushistas really want Australia to play deputy sheriff!

[Matilda]

13. Howard proudly polishes his badge every day.

n/t

[the Kelly Gang]

8. the Murdoch press are spinning this..it's all a beat-up

it does show how out of touch Howard is in Australia.

any wedge will do. No Afghani or Iraqi kids to lock up this time so he's got to frighten the people some how except there on to him now.

[struggle4progress]

11. Latham on attack over troops backflip claim

FEDERAL Labor leader Mark Latham has dismissed reports that he retreated on his promise to pull Australian troops out of Iraq by Christmas.
<snip>

The Weekend Australian reported that in a reversal of his hardline position, Mr Latham had suggested a third of the 270 troops could stay in Iraq under a Labor government.
<snip>

"Our policy hasn't changed. Alexander Downer was out there trying to stir up mischief," Mr Latham said.

He reiterated his March announcement: "We said three things: our intention to have them back by Christmas; doing that would rely on a Federal election this year; and in relation to security and protection of the Australian diplomatic mission in Baghdad, we would take the advice of Foreign Affairs ."
<more>


http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,9825961%5E903,00.html


Includes some of Latham's comments on the war

[struggle4progress]

12. kick

:kick: