'Anti-war is not anti-US'
2004-06-04 10:16
Sydney - Opposition Labour Party leader Mark Latham brushed aside criticism from US President George W Bush on Friday and reaffirmed a vow to withdraw Australian troops from Iraq if he wins elections later this year.
"Labour never wanted the troops there in the first place. We intend to have them home by Christmas," Latham said of the 850 soldiers stationed in and around Iraq by the conservative government of Prime Minister John Howard.
His statement came after Bush unleashed an extraordinary attack on Latham's Iraq pullout pledge after talks with Howard in Washington.
Embolden the enemy
"It would embolden the enemy. It would dispirit those who love freedom in Iraq. It would say that the Australian government doesn't see the hope of a free and democratic society leading to a peaceful world," said Bush.
Bush's outburst was seen in Australia as a strong bid to support Howard in the run-up to parliamentary elections due in the second half of the year.
But some commentators suggested the move could backfire if voters bristle at Bush's incursion into Australia's domestic political debate.
Second-rate state
"Australia is a sovereign nation, not some second-rate state in Bush's dream of an American empire," complained Senator Bob Brown of the Greens party.
Howard, 64, is seeking a fourth term in office and has been one of Bush's staunchest allies.
"It is the worst time imaginable for allies to be showing any weakness in relation to the pursuit of our goals in Iraq," Howard said.
But his decision to contribute troops to the US-led invasion and then occupation of Iraq has grown increasingly unpopular in Australia and undermined the government's standing in opinion polls.
Howard has sought to portray Latham, 43, as inexperienced in foreign affairs and a threat to Australia's longstanding alliance with the United States.
But Latham insisted on Friday that his opposition to the war in Iraq did not mean he was anti-American.
"The alliance is bigger and stronger than the mistakes made in relation to Iraq," he said.
"I look forward to the day when we can put the mistakes of Iraq behind us and a Labour government can work with the United States to further strengthen the intelligence, strategic and cultural relationships between our two countries.
"Labour strongly supports the alliance but not as a rubber stamp. Nothing President Bush has said today changes our hopes and expectations about the future."
"The war in Iraq and instability in the Middle East have contributed to record high petrol prices that are now hurting Australian motorists," Latham added.
"Enough is enough. In these circumstances, the best role Australia can play in Iraq is through humanitarian, economic and civilian aid, not a long-term military role," he said.