Move to censure PM in parliament
February 11 2003
Federal Opposition Leader Simon Crean moved to censure Prime Minister John
Howard and Acting Prime Minister John Anderson for breach of trust of the
Australian people over the Iraq issue.
Mr Crean told the parliament that Mr Howard and Mr Anderson had not told
the Australian public the truth.
"The government has signed up to a coalition of the willing despite the
Prime Minister and Acting Prime Minister's assurances to the parliament
that this is not the case," he said.
US President George W Bush today said he considered Australia to be part of
his coalition of the willing in his efforts to disarm Iraq.
But Mr Howard told journalists in Washington that comments by Mr Bush did
not alter Australia's stand that it had made no commitment to join a war on
Iraq.
Mr Howard and Mr Bush met for 40 minutes at the White House and then
continued to discuss the Iraqi crisis over dinner.
Mr Crean said comments from Mr Bush today had given the game up for the
prime minister.
"Three words today from the US president gave up the game up for John
Howard," he said.
Asked directly if he considered Australia part of the coalition of the
willing Mr Bush said: "Yes I do".
"What that means is up to John," Mr Bush said.
Mr Crean told the parliament it was a different response to that given by
government leaders to the Australian public.
"Whenever they've been asked that question, their response has been the
same that no decision has been taken," he said.
"Today in those three simple words the US government has nailed the deceit
of this government.
"(It has) nailed the deceit of the prime minister, of our involvement and
what the prime minister has effectively committed ourselves to in a war on
Iraq."
http://theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/11/1044927585064.html
(COW? coalition of the willing.)
