Here's Hoping Bush Doesn't Cash In Our Blank Cheque
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday September 15, 2001
JOHN Howard appeared on the lawns of the Australian Embassy in Washington two days ago to make war, if necessary, with George Bush on whomever the US Administration can pin the blame for this week's terrorist atrocities. The blank cheque the Prime Minister said he had offered the White House was: ``I've indicated Australia will provide all support that might be requested of us by the United States in relation to any action that might be taken."
Unsurprisingly, given the extreme parochialism of the travelling Australian media, the first question asked after this startling admission had nothing to do with going to war at all. It sought the ``latest information" of how many Australians might have died in the two terrorist attacks.
When Howard got through telling his questioner of the ``three confirmed dead" Australians among the estimated more than 4,000 dead Americans the more relevant question was asked: ``When you say Australia will give its full support, what do you mean?"
What followed in the next half hour was a good deal of retreating not to mention evasion. ``Well," replied Howard, ``I'm talking diplomatically and otherwise. We haven't been requested to provide any military assistance, but obviously, if we were asked, we would. It is very important at this time that America knows that she's got friends."
Q: ``So Australia could supply military support?"
PM, taking another step backwards: ``Well, we haven't been asked to. What I'm saying, Allison, is that we would provide support within our capability."
Reminded that Labor's Bob Hawke had committed Australian forces to the Gulf War after a phone call from George W.'s father and without telling Parliament, Howard replied: ``Well, I will wear that criticism if it comes. I thought Mr Hawke was right on that occasion, and he received the instantaneous support of the then Opposition" just as John Howard this time got instantaneous and unqualified support from Kim Beazley's Opposition.
Howard continued, repeating the point: ``You know, you must bear in mind that this is an occasion where America must understand she's got friends.
``But let me stress, I haven't been requested, and I'm not suggesting we will be, but we have to accept that this is an occasion where we should stand shoulder to shoulder with the Americans, because this is not just an assault on America, it's an assault on the way of life we hold dear in common."
Offered the slow full toss of what he thought about the ``very extended applause" given his brief appearance at that day's meeting of Congress, Howard opened his shoulders. ``I was very touched. It was a demonstration to me of the closeness of the relationship [between Australia and the US].
``I think the Americans appreciated the fact that I went there very deliberately. I mean, obviously because of what has happened the arrangements for my address to the joint sitting were naturally cancelled.
``But I indicated I wanted to go there and demonstrate, by my presence, the compassion we felt for the American people and the closeness we felt and the identification with the values for which America stands. I mean, this is a time when you have to stand by people who have the same view on life as you have. You can't cherry pick a close relationship."
But when the next question asked if Australia ``would consider" military support should the US ``decide to take action against a particular" country, Howard insisted: ``Look, I am not going to hypothesise. I am simply going to state the principle we will render all the assistance within our capability."
And finally: ``I think it is important countries like Australia play a role in identifying ourselves with the Americans. I mean, just because you are big and strong doesn't mean you can't feel lonely and you can't feel your heart has been ripped out."
It's comforting to know George W. is in charge and Little John is there to help.
© 2001 Sydney Morning Herald
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