Australia started the war before it started

[dudeness]

Tony Kevin is the former Australian diplomat who was intrumental in forcing the defence force to explain its failure to find SIEV-X before it sank during the federal election, drowning 353 asylum seekers.

The story of Australia’s initiation of secret illegal preemptive combat in Iraq from 18 to 20 March 2003, which I have been exploring since January 2004, got a re-start in the media after the release of Bob Woodward’s new book on the Iraq War, Plan of Attack. John Howard and Australia are minor players in Woodward’s book, but interesting new material in revealed.

1. Marian Wilkinson, Book reveals Howard’s early commitment to overthrow of Saddam, Sydney Morning Herald:

"On March 16 Bush phoned Howard from Air Force One as he flew from the Azores summit with Blair and Aznar. Bush explained that he would deliver a speech the next day in which he would issue a 48-hour ultimatum to Saddam.

"Apparently concerned, Howard asked Bush whether this was going to be the declaration of war speech. "No," Bush assured him. "It's an ultimatum speech".

"Howard then told Bush he needed "one last official word" before the war started. "Otherwise, it would look to the Australian people like Bush just started the war without even telling his biggest allies."

"No, no," Bush assured him. "This isn't the last call you're going to get from me."

Louise Dodson writes from Canberra:

"A spokesman for John Howard said yesterday: 'As the Prime Minister indicated at the time, he was in regular contact with President Bush on the eve of the outbreak of hostilities. The Prime Minister made it very plain to President Bush that there would need to be cabinet authorisation before Australian troops could be taken to war.'"

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/22/1082616267196.html

the deception and lies are not limited to the US and UK..this man has changed this country and stigma of his influence must be corrected..

[anakie]

1. didn't you just love the way Howard

stuttered over his reply when that radio interviewer brought the subject up. I have rarely, if ever, seen him for such a loss of words. Hopefully one of his lies will jump up and bite him on the bum before the election.

[dudeness]

2. welcome to DU ozscott..

:)

[Djinn]

3. given Howard's reasoning

for his Bush arse licking - that the American alliance is important for Australia's defence and prosperity, how come we didn't follow Clinton into his adventures?

Did we have some kind of defence cloaking shield during that admin which meant we didn't need to be a US lacky??

[Eureka]

4. Speaking of Clinton

did you see the Prime Miniature trying to bag Latham for ripping off a Clinton speach?

He said "when he wants material he needs to go to Yankee Land"

Thats right, he referred to the US as "Yankee Land". The pretend texan would be a bit pissed off by that wouldn't he?

[anakie]

5. and he said it with a straight face

when he is sucking up to Bush it's our great ally the United States yet referring to Clinton and Latham it's Yankee Land.

[Djinn]

6. All the more hilarious

given that virtually his entire policy platform has been a direct rip off from Menzies or Pauline Hanson!

[Eureka]

7. And lets not forget

Attorney General courtesy of Night of the Living Dead

Foreign Minister courtesy Pricilla Queen of the Desert

Immig Minister courtesy Star Wars (Jabba the Hut, in case anyone's wondering)

.............