Monday, April 07, 2003

Australia would not follow Americans into Iran or Syria, says Downer
'The Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, said yesterday that Australia would not be involved in any United States-led military action in Iran or Syria, if Washington chose that path. While initially saying the US had no plans "at the governmental level" to launch military action, when pushed Mr Downer said "we wouldn't be involved in such activity".'

Despite the fact that this issue has been discussed internationally for some time now and Britain has already expressly ruled out attacking Iran or Syria, Downer acted like he was surprised when asked this question by Laurie Oakes on the Sunday program. However, the admission has finally been forced. Critics should now begin to force the Howard government to distance itself from the American 'pre-emptive strike' (preventative war) doctrine.

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