Posted on 01/27/2005 9:29:16 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
FOREIGN Minister Alexander Downer has predicted Kim Beazley will last only a few months, as he attacked the new Labor leader's policies on Iraq.
"I must say I thought when Kim Beazley came back as leader of the Opposition he would try to learn from the mistakes of the past," Mr Downer said in Adelaide today. "Mr Beazley has learnt nothing. He has no clear message and no clear idea about what he wants to achieve in relation to Iraq.
"Mr Beazley's position is indeed complicated. It's like Mr Beazley's positions have always been – they're not clear, they're not precise, they are prolix and they are often incomprehensible.
"His position in Iraq is a position that I find quite incomprehensible.
"He'll be a great hero of the Canberra press gallery for a few months, just as Mr Latham was."
Mr Beazley was today returned as federal Labor leader unopposed, replacing Mark Latham who resigned last week after 13 months in the job.
Mr Beazley, a respected Defence Minister under the Hawke Government in the mid-1980s, has a reputation for tough military and foreign policy.
His opening shots on Iraq, however, signalled intent to confront the Prime Minister John Howard on his controversial commitment to the US-led coalition force in Iraq.
At a media conference today, Mr Beazley warned the US not to become involved in a civil war in Iraq.
Mr Beazley also flagged the removal of the Australian embassy from Baghdad if the Government failed to quickly relocate the embassy to the more secure Green Zone.
When asked about Labor's timetable for the withdrawal of Australian troops in Iraq, however, Mr Beazley sidestepped the question and said Australians needed to start making clear arguments to the Americans.
"The clearest argument we have to make to our American friends is this: you must not become involved in a long-running civil war in Iraq. Full stop," Mr Beazley said.
Mr Downer described Mr Beazley's comments as scandalous.
"Where did Mr Beazley get this complicated idea that the Americans want to be involved in a civil war in Iraq from?" Mr Downer said.
"Americans have no intentions of becoming involved in a civil war in Iraq."
He said the Government was trying to relocate the Australian embassy to the Green Zone as quickly as possible but was experiencing difficulties getting contractors and building materials.
"It is the cheapest and worst kind of politics for people in the Labor Party to suggest that somehow the Government doesn't want to protect Australians in Iraq," Mr Downer said.
"What a scandalous thing to suggest.
"Mr Beazley has nothing to say about whether Labor would withdraw or not those Australian soldiers who are doing such vital work training the new Iraqi army so the Iraqis can take over the security of the country.
"He made no mention of the fact there are these historic elections to take place (in Iraq) this weekend.
"We will not cut and run in the face of the terrorists in Iraq ... whatever Mr Beazley may suggest we should do."
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.