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Howard: I’m prepared to act against terrorists in Asian countries (wow, what a salvo)
TheStar.Com ^

Posted on 12/01/2002 8:06:09 PM PST by Dallas

SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister John Howard said yesterday he was prepared to act against terrorists in neighbouring Asian countries and that international law and the UN Charter should be changed to empower nations to strike pre-emptively against terrorists who plan to attack them. 

His comments sparked immediate outrage from governments across Asia. 

Australia has one of the most powerful militaries in the region – with a modern air force and experienced special forces. 

Howard’s comments come as his nation nervously watches how South-East Asian countries to its north deal with Islamic militants in the wake of the Oct 12 bombings on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali. The attack left nearly 200 people dead – almost half of them Australian tourists. 

The al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group Jemaah Islamiah has been blamed for the carnage. 

Though dozens of suspected Jemaah Islamiah operatives have been jailed, many more are still believed to be operational. Australia has boosted security at its embassies overseas and warned that terrorists may also attack within Australia. Last week, Australia closed its mission in the Philippines, citing a specific and credible terror threat. 

“It stands to reason that if you believe that somebody was going to launch an attack on your country, either of a conventional kind or a terrorist kind, and you had a capacity to stop it and there was no alternative other than to use that capacity, then of course you would have to use it,’’ he told Australia’s Channel Nine TV station. 

Asked if that meant taking pre-emptive action against terrorists in a neighbouring country, Howard said: “Oh yes. I think any Australian prime minister would.’’ 

Later in the interview, he declined to give details when asked if Australian commandos could be used. 

“There’s no situation that I’m aware of at the moment that raises that issue, and I don’t really want to go down that path any further,’’ he said. 

Howard’s comments prompted immediate reaction. 

Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Marti Natalegawa said Australia did not have the right to launch military strikes in other countries and that “states cannot willy-nilly flout international law and norms.’’ 

Indonesian legislator Alvin Lie said Howard’s statement “is very dangerous’’ and that the Australian leader “should learn to control himself.’’ 

Thailand’s government spokesman Ratthakit Manathat said: “Nobody does anything like this. Each country has its own sovereignty, that must be protected.’’ 

Philippine National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said Howard’s comments were “not wise,’’ adding that they don’t “follow ... the doctrine of peacekeeping and sovereignty.’’  

A leftist group there said it would now protest against Australia. 

Canberra, a longtime ally of the United States, has proven its military capabilities. In 1999, it sent thousands of troops into East Timor as peacekeepers when Indonesia’s army and its militia proxies killed hundreds of people after the territory voted in a UN-sponsored referendum for independence. 

It deployed special forces to Afghanistan last year to help US troops root out Taliban and al-Qaeda remnants. 

Howard said the UN Charter should be altered to allow member countries to pre-emptively strike at terrorists. He said the document was developed when conflicts were defined in terms of nations attacking nations. 

“That’s different now. What you’re getting is non-state terrorism which is just as devastating and potentially even more so,’’ he said. “All I’m saying, I think many people are saying, is that maybe the body of international law has to catch up with the new reality.’’ 

Howard last week said Australia was drafting military contingency plans for a possible war in Iraq following talks with US officials. 

He told Channel Nine that a possible government decision to send troops to Iraq would be accompanied by a parliamentary debate. 

“The decision (to send troops into Iraq) is one for the executive government,’’ he said. Howard’s office declined to elaborate on his TV comments, other than to reiterate that he was speaking hypothetically with regards to pre-emptive acts. The need for that sort of action had not arisen, it said. 

Clive Williams, director of terrorism studies at the Australian National University’s strategic defence studies centre, said Australia’s main tools in a possible military pre-emptive strike against terrorists would be its long-range, US-built F-111 fighter bombers and elite Special Air Services troops. – AP  


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 12/01/2002 8:06:10 PM PST by Dallas
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To: Dallas
Gee, the Aussies are getting with it. Hooray
2 posted on 12/01/2002 8:09:21 PM PST by cynicom
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To: Dallas
international law and the UN Charter should be changed to empower nations to strike pre-emptively against terrorists who plan to attack them.

After a loss, the Bush doctrine begins to make sense. I see more converts, as the nut cases hit softer targets.

3 posted on 12/01/2002 8:10:06 PM PST by Cold Heat
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To: Dallas
The countries who are objecting have an option. They could take care of these terrorists themselves and then they wouldn't have to worry about the US, UK or Australia having to do it FOR them.

Real easy folks, just clean up the mess in your own back yard and you don't have to worry about your neighbor coming in and doing it.

4 posted on 12/01/2002 8:15:20 PM PST by McGavin999
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To: wirestripper
Here's next weeks TIME article...it's vewwwwwy interesting.

The New Realities of Terror

5 posted on 12/01/2002 8:17:18 PM PST by Dallas
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To: Dallas
He has disarmed his own people...and left them vulnerable to islamic attacks at the local level..
He is a traitor..and should be sacked.
6 posted on 12/01/2002 8:22:33 PM PST by joesnuffy
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To: McGavin999
We know desert warfare is a cinch. But, mountain, and jungle wars are a disaster waiting to happen. I don't even what to think about mountainous jungles...

One things for certain. We're going to have to learn. Between South America, Indonesia, and the Philippines the future looks tough.

7 posted on 12/01/2002 8:23:43 PM PST by Dallas
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To: joesnuffy
ouch....
8 posted on 12/01/2002 8:24:10 PM PST by Dallas
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To: Dallas
Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Marti Natalegawa said Australia did not have the right to launch military strikes in other countries and that “states cannot willy-nilly flout international law and norms.’’

States also are not supposed to harbor terrorists who attack citizens of other countries.

Indonesian legislator Alvin Lie said Howard’s statement “is very dangerous’’ and that the Australian leader “should learn to control himself.’’

Does anyone think Alvin has ever piously suggested to the Islamofascists in his country that they "should learn to control" themselves?

9 posted on 12/01/2002 8:29:19 PM PST by Numbers Guy
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To: Numbers Guy
I guess they're in denial, and will be until their government gets overthrown by fanatics.
10 posted on 12/01/2002 8:36:13 PM PST by Dallas
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To: Dallas
F*** the UN charter, just do it!
11 posted on 12/01/2002 8:43:54 PM PST by Husker24
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To: Dallas
What a fakir, for John Howard was and still is in favour of taking all firearms away from any Aussie citizen.

ANY Aussie citizen, regardless of how deep into the interior the person may live.

Howard is full of methane until the danger of terrorism is declared "over".

At that time he and his Socialist friends who run the continent will spout things about "keeping any firearm from the Al Queda, who may steal them from our citizens and use them against us..."

Anybody who knows Howard's history of anti firearms want to bet on this?
12 posted on 12/01/2002 8:44:49 PM PST by Vidalia
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To: Dallas
...it's vewwwwwy interesting.

Good article!

The authors point is that the softer target will be the rule and not the exception.

He also gets into the relationships between AlQueda(sp) and the Pali's.

The way I see it is that they are liable to form any kind of connection with anyone, as long as it benefits both. One needs to have money, another the transportation, weapons etc, and another provides the martyrs and man power.

They are all birds of a feather, and will flock together when the needs are there.

And they are!

13 posted on 12/01/2002 8:56:17 PM PST by Cold Heat
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To: Dallas
YYYYYyyyes ! woohoooooo ^5
14 posted on 12/01/2002 8:58:15 PM PST by ChadGore
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To: Dallas
My first impression is to salute Howard for his couragious stand.  Now there's a guy that understands that it's futal to allow others to prepare to take his fellow citizens out, while doing nothing more than hoping it won't happen.  Now, my second impression.

If Howard understands the right of a nation to defend itself, even if it mean pre-emptive action, then he should be able to comprehend his citizens wish to arm themselves in able to defend themselves.

The Autralian gun laws should go!

Howard can't claim the moral high ground on one of these issues and ignore the other.

15 posted on 12/01/2002 10:41:07 PM PST by DoughtyOne
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To: McGavin999
"...and you don't have to worry about your neighbor coming in and doing it."

Or picking up the costs.

16 posted on 12/01/2002 11:01:34 PM PST by Bonaparte
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To: Dallas
We know desert warfare is a cinch. But, mountain, and jungle wars are a disaster waiting to happen. I don't even what to think about mountainous jungles...

They are really not a problem at all. A few small nukes to seal all the caves and after 50 years or so when the radiation is gone, go in and mop up anything that survived.

Of course we'll have to heavily bomb them with Christian tracts and such giving them time to make their peace with God before we arrange the meeting.

This war will continue until mohammedism is eradicated. Islam is the enemy

God Save America (Please)

17 posted on 12/02/2002 4:59:07 AM PST by John O
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