The Australian
US ambassador Robert McCallum admits there may be tensions in America's relationship with Australia if they disagree on big issues, such as Iraq.
...refusing to comment directly on how the US would react to a change in Australian policy on Iraq if Labor won government, Mr McCallum admitted disagreements with allies were an irritant...
...Prime Minister John Howard believes people should be patient and wait to see what the September report shows.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Robert McClelland said the interim report showed the Iraqi Government wasn't pulling its weight...
The Government remains committed to the war but Labor has indicated it will begin a phased withdrawal of Australian forces if it wins government later this year.
Mr McCallum said pulling troops out of Iraq too early would have an impact on security around the world, including Australia...
“...would potentially provide a safe haven for al-Qaeda and associated terrorist forces within Iraq, which would affect not just the United States but countries around the world, including Australia.”
Foreign Minister Downer said global security would be a nightmare if terrorists were allowed to win in the Middle East.
“I saw the consequences of 88 Australians killed in Bali... I don't want to see terrorism win a victory anywhere, because I know the consequences for us down the track and it would be dire,”...
Mr McCallum was reluctant to say how the US would respond to a change in Australia's strategy if Labor won government.
But he admitted any administration is unhappy when its allies have a different point of view...
“There's always a frustration, a tension an irritation when allies disagree... but it's always the devil in the detail as to when (and) how, so I don't think it's helpful for any of us to speculate on that at this point.”...
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