Posted on 10/13/2004 5:51:12 AM PDT by OESY
Without seeking to underestimate the role of domestic issues such as economic management, there can be no mistaking the clear foreign-policy choices made by Australia in last weekend's election. Presented with some tough decisions, the Australian people again demonstrated their robust commitment to international order and the common good. With opposition parties promising to bring home Australian troops from Iraq by Christmas, Australians could have taken the easy option to "cut and run." Instead, they strongly re-endorsed the government of Prime Minister John Howard and its promise to stay the course in Iraq.
Having been an original, modest but important contributor to the "Coalition of the Willing," Australia is not about to set any arbitrary deadline for leaving Iraq. We will not let down the Iraqi people. We will not let down our allies. And we will not let down the international community. Our troops are involved in the important work of training Iraqi security forces, patrolling the waters and skies around Iraq and protecting Australia's diplomatic staff in Baghdad. Our commitment also extends to reconstruction assistance, especially in the fields of agriculture and water management.
Australians hold mixed and varied views about the Iraq conflict and it has been a source of some political controversy and pain for our government. But having successfully participated in the liberation of Iraq from a cruel and brutal dictatorship, most Australians realize it would be folly to withdraw now, just when the Iraqi people are on the threshold of a free and democratic future. Australians also realized that to cut and run from Iraq would be to hand the terrorists a massive strategic and propaganda victory in the very battle that British Prime Minister Tony Blair has described as the "crucible" in the war against terrorism....
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Only question that remains is - will WE fail the Australians?
ping
God Bless The Aussies!!! May God grant us His favor by letting President Bush win in a landslide so that we too may stand firm with the Afghanis and Iraqis!
The victory was decisive as well... No need to debate the contest in a court room thank God.
Now, lets have the same decisive victory here.
Hi Woogit and friends,
Oh yes indeed, our family and the people we know in Australia really are hoping and praying that President Bush wins the election. From the outside looking in we don't think you have too much to worry about. Who is this John Kerry anyway - what does he stand for? We were watching him on Fox this morning and frankly wondered why the majority would vote for him as president. It's a bit like Mark Latham in Oz.....many did not know what to make of the man, and decided it was not worthwhile taking the risk of voting for him in these uncertain times.
Best to all.
Bump
A bit of good news for you. John Howard was thrashed by Mark Latham in ALL TV dedates, and most polls show it was neck and neck even by one and a half week from the election. It was a very surprising election result to all (Left and Right) that the ALP (Labor) lost that badly. (Lost 3 seats in House of Rep)
We are certainly praying the outcome of our election will be as wonderful as yours was. Thanks for getting back to me with that info. God Bless You.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.