KEVIN RUDD M.P. Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs

MEDIA RELEASE

JOHN HOWARD ON IRAQ - THE LIBERAL PARTY POLLSTER’S RESEARCH BRIEF HAS NOW HIT THE PM’S IN-TRAY

But what the Australian people want is a full statement from their Prime Minister on the case for war against Iraq - not a Clayton’s statement from the Foreign Minister

John Howard’s handling of the Iraq debate this week is looking more and more like an exercise in day-to-day domestic political management - rather than consistent, long-term foreign policy judgement.

In the past week, the Prime Minister has back-flipped on the question of the role of the United Nations Security Council in the resolution of the Iraq problem.

In the past, both John Howard and Alexander Downer have been consistently disparaging of the United Nations. However, following Tony Blair’s (and subsequently George Bush’s) advocacy of the UNSC,  Mr Howard and Mr Downer suddenly cannot refer often enough to the Security Council into their public language on Iraq.

We have the same situation with the Prime Minister’s back-flip on a parliamentary statement and debate on Iraq.  Four weeks ago, the Prime Minister refused the Opposition’s request for a full and formal prime ministerial statement. However, with President Bush addressing the General Assembly and Prime Minister Blair specifically recalling the House of Commons to debate Iraq, Mr Howard has once again been forced to back-flip - or run the risk of being politically isolated on this question.

On both the question of the UN Security Council’s role and the question of a formal parliamentary debate, Prime Minister Howard has been a follower, not a leader. He has not led - as Tony Blair has led on convincing George Bush for the first time to engage the UN Security Council process.  John Howard has simply followed initiatives taken elsewhere.

The Prime Minister’s back-flip on a parliamentary debate is at best a half back-flip - with a touch of pike. Rather than a full prime ministerial statement, we are now offered the Foreign Minister instead, even though the entire nation knows it will be the Prime Minister who makes the decision on whether or not this country goes to war - just as it is the Prime Minister (not the Foreign Minister) who has been dealing directly with President Bush. It is therefore a prime ministerial responsibility.

Mr Howard has also foreshadowed that the Foreign Minister’s statement is likely to be a Clayton’s statement on Iraq policy. Mr Howard has said Mr Downer will deal with the list of UN Security Council resolutions breached by Iraq. This has been a matter of public record since 1998 and can be accessed through any public library in Australia.  That Saddam Hussein is in breach on UNSC resolutions is not in dispute.

2

What the Government’s statement to the Parliament must include is its specific case for going to war against Iraq - a prospect the Government spent most of August and July talking up. Specifically the statement set out any information on:

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ any connection between the government of Iraq and the Al Qaeda terrorist network or the events of September 11 in the United States last year.

And address the following questions:

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ What is the Government’s formal view on whether or not Iraq is linked to the events of September 11?

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ Does Iraq possess a nuclear weapon? If not, when is Iraq likely to possess a nuclear weapon? Does the Government agree with Vice President Cheney. who said recently that Iraq would “soon” have such a weapon? Does the Government agree with President Bush’s statement that Iraq is only six months away from a nuclear weapon - despite a statement overnight by the International Atomic Energy Agency disputing Mr Bush’s claim?

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ Does the Government have evidence that Iraq’s chemical and biological agents have been weaponised? Have these weapons increased in number and capability since 1998?

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ Finally, what long-range delivery systems does Iraq now have to deliver weapons of mass destruction in its possession?

What we now have with Mr Howard and Mr Downer is a classic case of foreign policy making on the run. Mr Howard knows his Government got right out ahead of Australian public opinion on the Iraq question when he allowed Mr Downer off the leash during July and August - when anyone questioning this Government’s policy on Iraq was branded an “appeaser”. What we now have, therefore, is an exercise in political catch-up football and spin control from the Prime Minister.

This is what happens when foreign policy becomes the mere continuation of domestic politics by other means - a constant hallmark of the Howard Government.

A decision on whether or not to go to war and place Australian men and women in uniform in harm’s way is the most important national security decision any Government can make. It should not simply be the subject of rolling, day to day, domestic political management.

Ends 12 September 2002

For further information contact:  Kevin Rudd, MP on 0418 796 931 or Alister Jordan on 0417 605 823

