Bush: Australian exit 'disastrous'

[J-10]

Friday, June 4, 2004 Posted: 12:17 AM EDT (0417 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. President George W. Bush has expressed strong support for Australian Prime Minister John Howard and criticized the Iraq policy of Howard's Labor Party challenger Mark Latham.

Bush said that if Latham wins the upcoming election and carries out his pledge to pull out of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, "that would be disastrous."
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/06/03/howard.bush/story.howard.bush.ap.jpg
Bush attacked Howard's challenger during his press conference with the Australian PM.

Latham has vowed to withdraw by Christmas all of Australia's 850 troops from Iraq should he win the election, which Howard is expected to call later this year.

"I think that would be disastrous. It would be a disastrous decision for the leader of a great country like Australia to say that, 'We're pulling out,'" Bush told reporters in a joint news conference after meeting with Howard at the White House Thursday.

Latham responded with a statement Friday morning in which he reaffirmed that he intended to withdraw the Australian forces.

"Labor never wanted the troops there in the first place," he said. "We intend to have them home by Christmas."

But he said he supported Australia's alliance with the United States, saying it was "bigger and stronger" than any mistakes made in relation to Iraq.

In his joint press conference with Howard, Bush said a withdrawal 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. It would embolden the enemy who believe that they can shake our will.

"See, they want to kill innocent life because they think that the Western world and the free world is weak; that when times get tough, we will shirk our duty to those who long for freedom and we'll leave."

During their meeting, the two leaders discussed "our coalition's progress in Iraq," Bush said.

"We continue to work closely with you and share your aspirations for a free and democratic Iraq," Howard said. "In recent weeks, the news out of Iraq has not been as positive as we would have liked. And the reasons for that are understood. But that has not altered Australia's view."

He added: "This is not a time -- it is the worst time imaginable for allies to be showing any weakness in relation to the pursuit of our goals in Iraq. And I express my strong support for the leadership that the president has continued to display, particularly through some of the more difficult aspects of recent weeks."

After his meeting with Bush, Howard told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that Australia's involvement in Iraq was now "less popular" than it was a few months ago.

"We've had the upsurge in violence, we've had the prisoner abuse issue. It's been a low point the last four or six weeks. And naturally public opinion has shifted to a negative stance," Howard said. "But we're now looking forward to the next stage."

Australia's involvement in the war in Iraq is expected to be a key issue in the election campaign later this year.

Latham led Howard in opinion polls last month, but the latest poll this week has shown a surprising turnaround in support, with Howard's Liberal-National coalition leading Labor by 53 percent to 47 percent on a two-party preferred basis.

Howard has cautioned against reading too much into this poll, saying he believed the contest was still "finely balanced".
From (http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/06/03/howard.bush/index.html)

[mocking_loudly_died]

< Votes liberal.

Go John! :D

[Kilgor]

Make that two :P

ps.. liberal in australia has a totally different meaning

[ShotOver]

Bloody Labor...

Booo Latham boooo

[mocking_loudly_died]

Make that two :P

ps.. liberal in australia has a totally different meaning

Yeah, I would imagine our American friends think we are talking about some namby pamby political party.

Please note our angry brethren - liberals are the evil conservative party in Australia and I enjoy voting them in.

[dacanadianbomb]

What is Mr. Bush doing commenting about a political challenger in another country ?
Kinda leaning out the window a bit

[Kilgor]

What is Mr. Bush doing commenting about a political challenger in another country ?
Kinda leaning out the window a bit

what we dont want to see is the left side of politics cut and running from Iraq and giving encouragement for more madrid style bombings.


Please note our angry brethren - liberals are the evil conservative party in Australia and I enjoy voting them in.

Yes your normal evil conservative party, with the kitten sacrifice , blood drinking and satan worship. Its more fun on the dark side p-)

[Mark Sman]

The Aussies can elect anyone they want.

And if they want to leave Iraq, so be it.

The US, of course, doesn't have the option to leave when things get bad.

Or do we. You know what, the more I think about it, the more I think the US should pull out of Iraq, Europe, South Korea, Japan, the Phillipines and every place else that isn't the US.

Let all of the highly moral and civilized countries of the world work it out for themselves.

[WolverineBlue]

i like your new avatar, mocking

To each their own

I'm going to get some more cigarettes

[scm77]

Make that two :P

ps.. liberal in australia has a totally different meaning

Yeah, I would imagine our American friends think we are talking about some namby pamby political party.

Please note our angry brethren - liberals are the evil conservative party in Australia and I enjoy voting them in.

That makes sense, everythings backwards down there. :lol: j/k.

[Threelions]

What is Mr. Bush doing commenting about a political challenger in another country ?
Kinda leaning out the window a bit

Thats the first thing i thought when i read this. I think its a bit dodgy that bush is getting envolved in the domestic politics of another nation.

Cheers

[soldierandy]

..yeah well remember what happened in Spain shortly before the elections that determined Iraq policy of said country? I sure hope this won't happen again but Al qaeda would know then who is their next target..

Aussies should brace themselves and for goodness sake don't vote for the opposition even if there is an attack on Australian soil.

by the way, does Australia have a considerable Muslim minority population?

[Trigger]

What is Mr. Bush doing commenting about a political challenger in another country ?
Kinda leaning out the window a bit

Thats the first thing i thought when i read this. I think its a bit dodgy that bush is getting envolved in the domestic politics of another nation.

Cheers
All he did was voice his support for Howard and comment on how his loss would negatively affect the situation in Iraq. He didn't threaten any sanctions or attempt to influence the upcoming elections. So to say he's 'getting involved' in the domestic affairs of Australia is a little far fetched. Don't get your panties in a wad.

[DPGLAW]

Mark Sman....I really like your idea and train of thought. If we (The U.S) pull out of everywhere and let all these whining countries try to survive without our financial aid or military assistance/protection.

I think that would stop alot of the needless whining that is going on around the world. I mean if we were to pull out of europe mabye that would teach those whining French and Germans a lesson and shut them up, like they need to do.

Although it is unlikely that this will actually happen I would love to see us (the US) pull out of everywhere and stick it to these asshole, worthless (as far as im concered) countries.

[Threelions]

What is Mr. Bush doing commenting about a political challenger in another country ?
Kinda leaning out the window a bit

Thats the first thing i thought when i read this. I think its a bit dodgy that bush is getting envolved in the domestic politics of another nation.

Cheers
All he did was voice his support for Howard and comment on how his loss would negatively affect the situation in Iraq. He didn't threaten any sanctions or attempt to influence the upcoming elections. So to say he's 'getting involved' in the domestic affairs of Australia is a little far fetched. Don't get your panties in a wad.

im certainly not "getting my panties in a wad". But i think its incorrect for him to eveen speak about the topic. thats my opinion.

Cheers

[Trigger]

I have the feeling that you would object to Bush saying a single word about anything at all, but would you mind explaining why he has no right voicing his own opinion about an ally?

Cheers

[Threelions]

Mark Sman....I really like your idea and train of thought. If we (The U.S) pull out of everywhere and let all these whining countries try to survive without our financial aid or military assistance/protection.

I think that would stop alot of the needless whining that is going on around the world. I mean if we were to pull out of europe mabye that would teach those whining French and Germans a lesson and shut them up, like they need to do.

Although it is unlikely that this will actually happen I would love to see us (the US) pull out of everywhere and stick it to these asshole, worthless (as far as im concered) countries.

I strongly doubt the germans or french would be taught a lesson if the americans went home.

If america stopped giving out "aid", places like isreal would collapse. Thats not beneficial to american foreign policy at all. Your comment is a bit daft!

Cheers

[moughoun]

Acctually he did get involved he said it would be disasterous for Australia to have a leader who would pull out of Iraq, thereby implying they should not vote for the opposition

[Trigger]

Acctually he did get involved he said it would be disasterous for Australia to have a leader who would pull out of Iraq, thereby implying they should not vote for the opposition
And that statement is somehow going to influence the opinions of Australian voters how??

[Threelions]

I have the feeling that you would object to Bush saying a single word about anything at all, but would you mind explaining why he has no right voicing his own opinion about an ally?

Cheers

To me it just looks like he is putting his nose into aussie politics. Its not a big concern to me, im just stating an opinion. Do i like bush? F*** no, the world may be a far better place when he's back in texas. But, if (who's my PM nowadays??) Paul Martin was doing the same thing i would say"looks lik martin is fiddling with other peoples politics." i think he can support the policy of australia, but he should leave it at that. Like i said, its no skin of my ass, just making a comment!

Cheers

[moughoun]

Acctually he did get involved he said it would be disasterous for Australia to have a leader who would pull out of Iraq, thereby implying they should not vote for the opposition
And that statement is somehow going to influence the opinions of Australian voters how??

No one influnces Aussies :lol: but he should not have said anything about an upcoming election in a democratic country, Australia is not the PRC, they vote, they decide what to do, no one else

[ibstolidude]

What is Mr. Bush doing commenting about a political challenger in another country ?
Kinda leaning out the window a bit

Thats the first thing i thought when i read this. I think its a bit dodgy that bush is getting envolved in the domestic politics of another nation.

Cheers
All he did was voice his support for Howard and comment on how his loss would negatively affect the situation in Iraq. He didn't threaten any sanctions or attempt to influence the upcoming elections. So to say he's 'getting involved' in the domestic affairs of Australia is a little far fetched. Don't get your panties in a wad.

im certainly not "getting my panties in a wad". But i think its incorrect for him to eveen speak about the topic. thats my opinion.

Cheers is what is bad for the goose also bad for the gander? Should this also apply to the Canadian politicians, as they have been very vocal and active in the past? What about EU polticians, hell they boycotted and restricted importation of goods from specific US political districts as protest of a certain political affiliation's support of trade actions the EU feels are unfair - the hope was to influence election support. This is common practice by 95% of nations, let us not pretend Bush did anything out of the ususal or beyond the norm of most political leaders. This is making a mountain out of a molehill and using every chance to gauge a man you do not support. Pro-Bush or Anti-Bush, he did nothing more than most any other political leader has done.

[Old300]

Hang on, everybody. President Bush didn't attack the PM's challenger. He didn't comment on the upcoming election. All he said was, in response to a reporter's question about the possibility of Australia withdrawing from Iraq, that such an event would be disastrous.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040603-3.html

The President didn't take sides in the election or meddle in Australian political affairs. The AP story was misleading. Read what he actually said and note the context of his remarks.

[Threelions]

Hang on, everybody. President Bush didn't attack the PM's challenger. He didn't comment on the upcoming election. All he said was, in response to a reporter's question about the possibility of Australia withdrawing from Iraq, that such an event would be disastrous.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040603-3.html

The President didn't take sides in the election or meddle in Australian political affairs. The AP story was misleading. Read what he actually said and note the context of his remarks.

Well done! Thanks for this, i now agree that the article was missleading!

cheers

[usa320]

in regards to earlier comments- sometimes i tihnk maybe we should stop giving people handouts and pull our boys the hell out of everywhere. But on the other hand i think it would be a bad move because in many countries the only thing keeping the peace and sanity is the presence of American forces.

Definately think we should pull outta Germany though. With the exception of Ramstein and the hospital we have their, we should pull everyone out.l

South Korea we should decrease the number of troops in country, but increase the number of aircraft there and move CVBG off the coast.

We should let the EU take over in the Balkans.

We do however need to keep forces in the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and the Phillipines. There is just to much terrorism, drug trafficking, arms dealing, civil unrest and humanitarian problems to pull out.

[n4292936]

Personally I can't stand the liberal party. I think their policies on nearly all counts are dictated by sychophancy to America, knee jerk politics domestically, and are barren of long term vision. That said, they've done a bloody good job with the economy and I don't see how I can vote for Labour given the massive strategic error they would be making by pulling Aussie troops out.

Also, Im curious to see the level of surprise at the suggestion that a US President was trying to influence the domestic politics of another country.... its not like history isnt replete with examples. If that's what Bush was trying to do (and I don't think it was) I assure you he wouldn't be setting a precedent. Besides, I think most Aussies would take it as a bit of a joke. ;)

[Ballistic]

Mark Latham is inexperienced as a leader and his past actions and views during Australia's lead up to involvement in Iraq showed his true colours. I would not vote for him if my life depended on it. If Latham wants Australia to shoot itself in the foot by backing down from Iraq he is going the right way about it. I dont buy his "concern" for our troops over there, it's a petty political stunt to bring in the voters who see Iraq as a failure, which it is not. It will take time for Iraq to get back to normal, after 30 years of bull**** under Saddam, it's obvious changes wont happen overnight. Leaving will only make the situation worse for us and the rest of the Coalition. Howard has my vote again. Plus the amount the Liberal government has spent on modernising our Defence Force (about time too), I doubt the Labor government would have spent as much.

My thoughts and opinions.