Armitage lays down the law to Austraia

[the Kelly Gang]

US warning to Labor on spy secrets
By Brendan Nicholson

"The United States has stepped up its pressure on the Federal Opposition, raising the possibility the US might limit access to vital intelligence if a Labor government distanced itself from Washington's foreign policy.

United States Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said last night Labor leader Mark Latham could not pick and choose aspects of Australia's relationship with the US.

He was the second US Administration official - the first was President George Bush a week ago - to enter the Australian political debate over Labor foreign policy."

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/10/1086749840556.html?oneclick=true

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The Bush government claims it is promoting Democracy in the Middle East but at the same time is telling it's Allies who how to run their countries.

[lanparty]

1. Aussies ...

Tell Bush to go to hell. The terrorists aren't after you anyway.

[the Kelly Gang]

3. according to a website linked to Al Qaeda we are now 4th

on the list because of the Iraq war..but Bush & gang don't seem to understand the meaning of diplomacy

[punpirate]

2. I don't think this will be a...

... persuasive argument, given the sorts of intelligence we've been passing to them lately.

So much of it has been self-serving garbage that it's been ridiculed in the Australian government itself.

Armitage and crew had better wise up, and fast--the Aussies remember well what happened to Gough Whitlam--the last Labor leader to get uppity with the US (ironically, over some intelligence gathering practices by the CIA at Alice Springs which his own government had hidden from him), and they still understand the influence the US had on the then governor-general, Sir John Kerr.

Latham is aware of all that history, and more. Given the mood of the Australians now about being misled by the US into supporting the Iraq invasion, Latham could probably build enough support to throw US intelligence interests out of Australia.

Anything from the US resembling threats won't be well-received in Australia, and could place Labor in a commanding position in Canberra, just about the last thing the US would want. Howard is likely toast in the next election, anyway, since he's been exposed as a shill for the US.

[LittleApple81]

4. Watch out Aussies: Armitage will use US Tax dollars to send CACI after

you.

[Sugarbleus]

5. Damn! This piece of news is really appalling!! n/t