No weapons in Iraq? We'll find them in Iran
Concise report on the process of 'discovering' the evidence of WMDs in Iraq; and how it all fits into the PNAC plan for a Pax Americana.

No weapons in Iraq? We'll find them in Iran
Concise report on the process of 'discovering' the evidence of WMDs in Iraq; and how it all fits into the PNAC plan for a Pax Americana.

Inequality increasing in Australia
'Land is still the dominant source of wealth. In 1915 it was the main reason 90 per cent of the wealth was in the hands of 20 per cent of the population. By 2000 land was much more widely held but dwellings still accounted for close to half of the total. The seriously rich, however, were more likely to be so from owning private businesses and securities than property. The concentration of wealth has gone from tight in 1915, to looser in the 1960s, and tighter again with the top 20 per cent accounting for about 63 per cent of wealth by 2000. When we were at our most egalitarian in the 1960s, the top 20 per cent of wealthy Australians controlled just over half of the nation's wealth. But the poorest 20 per cent had only l per cent, and since then that has halved to a pitiful 0.4.'

Inequality increasing in Australia
'Land is still the dominant source of wealth. In 1915 it was the main reason 90 per cent of the wealth was in the hands of 20 per cent of the population. By 2000 land was much more widely held but dwellings still accounted for close to half of the total. The seriously rich, however, were more likely to be so from owning private businesses and securities than property. The concentration of wealth has gone from tight in 1915, to looser in the 1960s, and tighter again with the top 20 per cent accounting for about 63 per cent of wealth by 2000. When we were at our most egalitarian in the 1960s, the top 20 per cent of wealthy Australians controlled just over half of the nation's wealth. But the poorest 20 per cent had only l per cent, and since then that has halved to a pitiful 0.4.'

Aust. Defence Minister Hill raises new doubts about Iraq's WMDs.
'The paper said NATO diplomats, who had supported a war, were now leaking a transcript of the meeting because they believed they had been lied to. Mr Powell had told Mr Straw that he hoped the facts about Iraq's weapons, when they emerged, would not "explode in their faces.'"

'An unnamed intelligence official has told the BBC that a vital claim in a dossier released by the British Government last September - that Iraq could launch a chemical or biological attack within 45 minutes of an order - was inserted on the instructions of officials in the office of the Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Pressure on Britain intensified at a gathering of world leaders in St Petersburg, where Germany's Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer, said: "I made it very clear that if there were no weapons of mass destruction then he, Tony Blair, should admit he has misused intelligence reports and has misled world opinion."'

Iraq's 'weapons of mass destruction' is a catastrophic lie that has destroyed the credibility of the Anglo-saxon governments and their intelligence agencies. It will take years to recover and will probably require the departure from office of those responsible, and a public inquiry and admission as to the facts.

Aust. Defence Minister Hill raises new doubts about Iraq's WMDs.
'The paper said NATO diplomats, who had supported a war, were now leaking a transcript of the meeting because they believed they had been lied to. Mr Powell had told Mr Straw that he hoped the facts about Iraq's weapons, when they emerged, would not "explode in their faces.'"

'An unnamed intelligence official has told the BBC that a vital claim in a dossier released by the British Government last September - that Iraq could launch a chemical or biological attack within 45 minutes of an order - was inserted on the instructions of officials in the office of the Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Pressure on Britain intensified at a gathering of world leaders in St Petersburg, where Germany's Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer, said: "I made it very clear that if there were no weapons of mass destruction then he, Tony Blair, should admit he has misused intelligence reports and has misled world opinion."'

Iraq's 'weapons of mass destruction' is a catastrophic lie that has destroyed the credibility of the Anglo-saxon governments and their intelligence agencies. It will take years to recover and will probably require the departure from office of those responsible, and a public inquiry and admission as to the facts.

U.S. prison population largest in world
'United States imprisons at a far greater rate than developed Western nations and many impoverished and authoritarian countries. On a per capita basis, according to the best available figures, the United States has three times more prisoners than Iran, four times more than Poland, five times more than Tanzania and seven times more than Germany.'

'A major cause is the war on drugs. In 1980, says Marc Mauer, assistant director of the Sentencing Project in Washington, about 40,000 Americans were locked up for drugs-only offenses. Now the number is 450,000, three-fourths of them black or Latino, though drug use is no higher in those groups than among whites.'

U.S. prison population largest in world
'United States imprisons at a far greater rate than developed Western nations and many impoverished and authoritarian countries. On a per capita basis, according to the best available figures, the United States has three times more prisoners than Iran, four times more than Poland, five times more than Tanzania and seven times more than Germany.'

'A major cause is the war on drugs. In 1980, says Marc Mauer, assistant director of the Sentencing Project in Washington, about 40,000 Americans were locked up for drugs-only offenses. Now the number is 450,000, three-fourths of them black or Latino, though drug use is no higher in those groups than among whites.'

Robert Fisk on American media (v.good)
'...almost a thousand letters a week I am getting almost 50% from America. Now that is an indictment of the American media for start. I should be getting 20% from America and 80% from the United kingdom, But in fact more than half is coming from America, and many of them complain about what they refer to as one did of the lobotomized coverage in the American Press. Now what is the effect of this? I think that more and more Americans are saying, "hold on, why can't we read this in our newspapers why can't we watch this on our television" Yet again and again, even despite the fact, I don't think the American media realize the extent to which ordinary American citizens are looking at foreign publications [on the internet], in itself an appalling reflection on the worth or lack of it in the American Media.'

Robert Fisk on American media (v.good)
'...almost a thousand letters a week I am getting almost 50% from America. Now that is an indictment of the American media for start. I should be getting 20% from America and 80% from the United kingdom, But in fact more than half is coming from America, and many of them complain about what they refer to as one did of the lobotomized coverage in the American Press. Now what is the effect of this? I think that more and more Americans are saying, "hold on, why can't we read this in our newspapers why can't we watch this on our television" Yet again and again, even despite the fact, I don't think the American media realize the extent to which ordinary American citizens are looking at foreign publications [on the internet], in itself an appalling reflection on the worth or lack of it in the American Media.'

Media failure: truth emerging about Iraq war
'"For the first time, Iraqi soldiers have revealed the details of the fall of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, explaining why the American troops entered it without meeting any resistance. One of the main reasons is that Qusay, the youngest son of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, issued a number of orders during the last days of the war, which resulted in the death of the Iraqi Republican Guards' elite outside the city. This enraged the military leaders, who decided to return home calmly, and let the city fall at the hands of the invading troops."

'Slowly but surely, new information like this is trickling out, calling into question the rationale for the war and the coverage of its most celebrated moments. The International Press Institute says that an estimated 3,000 journalists covered the war, making it one of the most reported events in history. Many of their stories seem to confirm the institute’s finding that "propaganda, bias and disinformation were more prevalent than accurate and relevant information."'

Media failure: truth emerging about Iraq war
'"For the first time, Iraqi soldiers have revealed the details of the fall of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, explaining why the American troops entered it without meeting any resistance. One of the main reasons is that Qusay, the youngest son of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, issued a number of orders during the last days of the war, which resulted in the death of the Iraqi Republican Guards' elite outside the city. This enraged the military leaders, who decided to return home calmly, and let the city fall at the hands of the invading troops."

'Slowly but surely, new information like this is trickling out, calling into question the rationale for the war and the coverage of its most celebrated moments. The International Press Institute says that an estimated 3,000 journalists covered the war, making it one of the most reported events in history. Many of their stories seem to confirm the institute’s finding that "propaganda, bias and disinformation were more prevalent than accurate and relevant information."'

McDonalds sues food critic for £15.3million.
'A CRITIC who slammed McDonald's for selling "fodder" is being sued for £15.3million. The fast food giant launched it's claim against Edoardo Raspelli yesterday after he branded its fries "obscene and tasting of paper." Raspelli, one of Italy's culinary experts and author of a dozen books on food, defended himself at the hearing in Milan. He said: "I was only saying what I thought of fast food and that I find it repulsive."'

McDonalds sues food critic for £15.3million.
'A CRITIC who slammed McDonald's for selling "fodder" is being sued for £15.3million. The fast food giant launched it's claim against Edoardo Raspelli yesterday after he branded its fries "obscene and tasting of paper." Raspelli, one of Italy's culinary experts and author of a dozen books on food, defended himself at the hearing in Milan. He said: "I was only saying what I thought of fast food and that I find it repulsive."'

Australia's spies knew the United States was lying about Iraq's WMD programme.
''Intelligence" was how the Americans described the material accumulating on Iraq from their super-sophisticated spy systems. But to analysts at the Office of National Assessments in Canberra, a decent chunk of the growing pile looked like rubbish. In their offices on the top floor of the drab ASIO building, ONA experts found much of the US material worthy only of the delete button or the classified waste chute to the truck-sized shredder in the basement. Australian spooks aren't much like the spies in the James Bond movies. Not many drink vodka martinis. But most are smart - certainly smart enough to understand how US intelligence on Iraq was badly skewed by political pressure, worst-case analysis and a stream of garbage-grade intelligence concocted by Iraqis desperate for US intervention in Iraq.'

Australia's spies knew the United States was lying about Iraq's WMD programme.
''Intelligence" was how the Americans described the material accumulating on Iraq from their super-sophisticated spy systems. But to analysts at the Office of National Assessments in Canberra, a decent chunk of the growing pile looked like rubbish. In their offices on the top floor of the drab ASIO building, ONA experts found much of the US material worthy only of the delete button or the classified waste chute to the truck-sized shredder in the basement. Australian spooks aren't much like the spies in the James Bond movies. Not many drink vodka martinis. But most are smart - certainly smart enough to understand how US intelligence on Iraq was badly skewed by political pressure, worst-case analysis and a stream of garbage-grade intelligence concocted by Iraqis desperate for US intervention in Iraq.'

Robin Cook: Britain must not be suckered a second time by the White House (v.good)
'There is also a growing problem of transatlantic politics with the British Prime Minister's plea for more time. The US administration wanted the war to achieve regime change and now they have got it they do not see why they need to keep up the pretence that they fought it to deliver disarmament. The more time passes, the greater the gulf will widen between the obliging candour on the US side that there never was a weapons threat and the desperate obfuscation on the British side that we might still find one. There is always a bigger problem in denying reality than in admitting the truth. The time has come when the British government needs to concede that we did not go to war because Saddam was a threat to our national interests. We went to war for reasons of US foreign policy and Republican domestic politics.'

In spite of their 'opposition' to the war, there is nothing like this trenchant critique emanating from the Labor party in Australia.

Robin Cook: Britain must not be suckered a second time by the White House (v.good)
'There is also a growing problem of transatlantic politics with the British Prime Minister's plea for more time. The US administration wanted the war to achieve regime change and now they have got it they do not see why they need to keep up the pretence that they fought it to deliver disarmament. The more time passes, the greater the gulf will widen between the obliging candour on the US side that there never was a weapons threat and the desperate obfuscation on the British side that we might still find one. There is always a bigger problem in denying reality than in admitting the truth. The time has come when the British government needs to concede that we did not go to war because Saddam was a threat to our national interests. We went to war for reasons of US foreign policy and Republican domestic politics.'

In spite of their 'opposition' to the war, there is nothing like this trenchant critique emanating from the Labor party in Australia.

Wolfowitz, Rumsfield admit Iraq WMDs politically convenient
'"For bureaucratic reasons we settled on one issue, weapons of mass destruction, because it was the one reason everyone could agree on," Mr Wolfowitz tells the magazine. The comments suggest that, even for the US administration, the logic that was presented for going to war may have been an empty shell. They come to light, moreover, just two days after Mr Wolfowitz's immediate boss, Donald Rumsfeld, the Defence Secretary, conceded for the first time that the arms might never be found. The failure to find a single example of the weapons that London and Washington said were inside Iraq only makes the embarrassment more acute.'

The arrogance and nakedness of Wolfowitz and Rumsfeld however is an embarrassment for Blair, who continues to say with a straight face that WMDs will be found.

Wolfowitz, Rumsfield admit Iraq WMDs politically convenient
'"For bureaucratic reasons we settled on one issue, weapons of mass destruction, because it was the one reason everyone could agree on," Mr Wolfowitz tells the magazine. The comments suggest that, even for the US administration, the logic that was presented for going to war may have been an empty shell. They come to light, moreover, just two days after Mr Wolfowitz's immediate boss, Donald Rumsfeld, the Defence Secretary, conceded for the first time that the arms might never be found. The failure to find a single example of the weapons that London and Washington said were inside Iraq only makes the embarrassment more acute.'

The arrogance and nakedness of Wolfowitz and Rumsfeld however is an embarrassment for Blair, who continues to say with a straight face that WMDs will be found.

Warblogging.com: Rumsfeld: Saddam May Have Disarmed
'[Nazi leader] Hermann Goering said: "Why of course the people don't want war... But after all it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship... Voice or not voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they're being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."'

'FOXNews' Bill O'Reilly said just a few days ago "So, again, what do we think about Americans who want their own country to be hurt? It's not freedom of speech, it's attitude, and anti-American attitude that is driven by a loathing for President Bush. " People like "Ed" on the Warblogging comments system routinely called anti-war protests "anti-American". Rush Limbaugh denounced anti-war protesters "Anti-American, Anti-Capitailst, Marxists and Communists." Ah, Goering would be proud. He was right, of course. It does work the same in any country. It worked here.'

Warblogging.com: Rumsfeld: Saddam May Have Disarmed
'[Nazi leader] Hermann Goering said: "Why of course the people don't want war... But after all it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship... Voice or not voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they're being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."'

'FOXNews' Bill O'Reilly said just a few days ago "So, again, what do we think about Americans who want their own country to be hurt? It's not freedom of speech, it's attitude, and anti-American attitude that is driven by a loathing for President Bush. " People like "Ed" on the Warblogging comments system routinely called anti-war protests "anti-American". Rush Limbaugh denounced anti-war protesters "Anti-American, Anti-Capitailst, Marxists and Communists." Ah, Goering would be proud. He was right, of course. It does work the same in any country. It worked here.'

Warblogging.com: Rumsfeld: Regime Change in Iran (via ag)
Warblogger condemns the neocon machine and its attempts to line up Iran as the next target.

Warblogging.com: Rumsfeld: Regime Change in Iran (via ag)
Warblogger condemns the neocon machine and its attempts to line up Iran as the next target.

Patents and Pharmaceutical Access: Rent-seeking Racket
'Patent laws in many developing countries are now set through a combination of World Trade Organization (WTO) directives, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) advice, and U.S. bilateral trade pressure (3). But because the WTO's Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement requires developing countries to pass national legislation guaranteeing patent terms of two decades for pharmaceuticals, the prices of new drugs for both common and rare conditions is expected to double soon after January 2005'

Patents and Pharmaceutical Access: Rent-seeking Racket
'Patent laws in many developing countries are now set through a combination of World Trade Organization (WTO) directives, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) advice, and U.S. bilateral trade pressure (3). But because the WTO's Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement requires developing countries to pass national legislation guaranteeing patent terms of two decades for pharmaceuticals, the prices of new drugs for both common and rare conditions is expected to double soon after January 2005'

Syrian Foreign Minister Al-Shara: the Roadmap should expand to include Syria and Lebanon
'Al-Shara added that the explosive situation in the Middle East resulting from the absence of peace, the developments of the Iraqi issue and the continuation of the Israeli occupation of the Golan, and the occupied Arab territories, is a common challenge for all the partners and this requires the Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories to the line of June 1967, and the withdrawal of the occupation troops from Iraq as soon as possible to enable the Iraqi people to enjoy their national sovereignty and elect its own government by its own free will. He pointed out that the Israeli rejection of peace is hindering the establishment of a Euro- Mediterranean region that enjoy peace, stability and welfare... Al-Shara pointed out that for peace to be comprehensive it should include disarming the region of mass destruction weapons including Israel, so that the region will be free of mass destruction weapons.'

This statement represents the typical Arab position but it almost never gets a hearing in the Western media because to do so would highlight the fact that it is Israel backed by the US that have been blocking the political settlement in the Middle East. Israel is still driven by the Zionist dream of 'Greater Israel': absorbing all of the Occupied Territories and somehow getting rid of the Palestinians; while the US is still committed to the 'cops on the beat' strategy of an Israeli Sparta, a militarised dependency. However as the influence of Europe on the region continues to grow, pressure will steadily increase on both Israel and the US to back a settlement.

Syrian Foreign Minister Al-Shara: the Roadmap should expand to include Syria and Lebanon
'Al-Shara added that the explosive situation in the Middle East resulting from the absence of peace, the developments of the Iraqi issue and the continuation of the Israeli occupation of the Golan, and the occupied Arab territories, is a common challenge for all the partners and this requires the Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories to the line of June 1967, and the withdrawal of the occupation troops from Iraq as soon as possible to enable the Iraqi people to enjoy their national sovereignty and elect its own government by its own free will. He pointed out that the Israeli rejection of peace is hindering the establishment of a Euro- Mediterranean region that enjoy peace, stability and welfare... Al-Shara pointed out that for peace to be comprehensive it should include disarming the region of mass destruction weapons including Israel, so that the region will be free of mass destruction weapons.'

This statement represents the typical Arab position but it almost never gets a hearing in the Western media because to do so would highlight the fact that it is Israel backed by the US that have been blocking the political settlement in the Middle East. Israel is still driven by the Zionist dream of 'Greater Israel': absorbing all of the Occupied Territories and somehow getting rid of the Palestinians; while the US is still committed to the 'cops on the beat' strategy of an Israeli Sparta, a militarised dependency. However as the influence of Europe on the region continues to grow, pressure will steadily increase on both Israel and the US to back a settlement.

The road map hoax
'Don't waste your time fretting over the fortunes of the "road map" to peace in the Middle East. It's all a fraud, following the contours of all the other frauds down the years, back to such museum pieces as the Rogers Plan, conceived in Nixon time. The recipe is unvarying. The Palestinians are required to pledge that they will instantly abandon all vestiges of resistance to Israel's onslaughts on their persons, children, houses, land, crops, water, trees, livestock, roads, schools, universities, graveyards and public buildings. In return Israel agrees that a few years down the road the government of Israel will begin to ponder the outlines of a dim possibility of formal ratification as a Palestinian statelet of whatever tiny sliver of territory they haven't already appropriated.'

The TV media in Australia, including SBS, dutifully report on the 'Road Map' as if it was something to be taken seriously, instead of reporting on the possibility it destined to fail for predictable reasons, as is almost certainly the case. How long can this go on for? The problem is the Occupation, and a political settlement depends on ending the Occupation. If the Occupation does not end or begin to end, nothing is happening by way of genuine peace.

The road map hoax
'Don't waste your time fretting over the fortunes of the "road map" to peace in the Middle East. It's all a fraud, following the contours of all the other frauds down the years, back to such museum pieces as the Rogers Plan, conceived in Nixon time. The recipe is unvarying. The Palestinians are required to pledge that they will instantly abandon all vestiges of resistance to Israel's onslaughts on their persons, children, houses, land, crops, water, trees, livestock, roads, schools, universities, graveyards and public buildings. In return Israel agrees that a few years down the road the government of Israel will begin to ponder the outlines of a dim possibility of formal ratification as a Palestinian statelet of whatever tiny sliver of territory they haven't already appropriated.'

The TV media in Australia, including SBS, dutifully report on the 'Road Map' as if it was something to be taken seriously, instead of reporting on the possibility it destined to fail for predictable reasons, as is almost certainly the case. How long can this go on for? The problem is the Occupation, and a political settlement depends on ending the Occupation. If the Occupation does not end or begin to end, nothing is happening by way of genuine peace.

Media's Pro War Campaign
'"We Must Arrest the Leaders of the Anti-War Movement," declares the Web site of syndicated radio personality and newly minted MSNBC host Michael Savage... Savage is a political thug, one of the new breed of media demagogues who has discovered that politics -- as noise, insult, and rhetorical aggressiveness -- is the way to get noticed... Savage Nation [Savage's book] reads like his show sounds, all in your face bombast and bloated sound bites piled endlessly one upon the other. It's all aggrieved White Male Noise, the worldview of a man of a thousand petty rages against the "freaks" and "perverts" who he believes have taken over his country. These include immigrants, gays, liberal journalists, "subversive" socialists and anyone who dares question the virtues of our capitalist way of life. Or disagree with Michael Savage.'

Media's Pro War Campaign
'"We Must Arrest the Leaders of the Anti-War Movement," declares the Web site of syndicated radio personality and newly minted MSNBC host Michael Savage... Savage is a political thug, one of the new breed of media demagogues who has discovered that politics -- as noise, insult, and rhetorical aggressiveness -- is the way to get noticed... Savage Nation [Savage's book] reads like his show sounds, all in your face bombast and bloated sound bites piled endlessly one upon the other. It's all aggrieved White Male Noise, the worldview of a man of a thousand petty rages against the "freaks" and "perverts" who he believes have taken over his country. These include immigrants, gays, liberal journalists, "subversive" socialists and anyone who dares question the virtues of our capitalist way of life. Or disagree with Michael Savage.'

The Arrogance of Rumsfeld
'It is not even the fact that he said it that is so shocking, but the dismissive way in which he said it. [that Iraq may have destroyed its weapons of mass destruction before the coalition forces went to war on Saddam Hussein.] This was an off-the-cuff remark made during a speech focused on warning Iran against meddling in the rebuilding of Iraq. This was no embarrassed gaffe or embattled admission. It was as if it did not matter... The people who backed the conflict - including this newspaper - did so because both the British and American Governments produced intelligence which they said proved Iraq had chemical and biological weapons, and that there was evidence that Saddam was seeking to build nuclear weapons.'

I'm not sure whether to take these sorts of statements seriously. If so, there seems to be a high level of naivete and gullibility in the British media and political system. Well before the war started it was clear to anyone with an internet connection that WMDs were a pretext, that neocons who dominate the Bush administration were determined to attack Iraq because it was 'unfinished business.' Clumsy frauds and lies (such as the Niger uranimum shipment) were exposed before the war even started. Perhaps these statements and the run they are getting are an indication among elites that they now believe the Bush doctrine must be contained.

The Arrogance of Rumsfeld
'It is not even the fact that he said it that is so shocking, but the dismissive way in which he said it. [that Iraq may have destroyed its weapons of mass destruction before the coalition forces went to war on Saddam Hussein.] This was an off-the-cuff remark made during a speech focused on warning Iran against meddling in the rebuilding of Iraq. This was no embarrassed gaffe or embattled admission. It was as if it did not matter... The people who backed the conflict - including this newspaper - did so because both the British and American Governments produced intelligence which they said proved Iraq had chemical and biological weapons, and that there was evidence that Saddam was seeking to build nuclear weapons.'

I'm not sure whether to take these sorts of statements seriously. If so, there seems to be a high level of naivete and gullibility in the British media and political system. Well before the war started it was clear to anyone with an internet connection that WMDs were a pretext, that neocons who dominate the Bush administration were determined to attack Iraq because it was 'unfinished business.' Clumsy frauds and lies (such as the Niger uranimum shipment) were exposed before the war even started. Perhaps these statements and the run they are getting are an indication among elites that they now believe the Bush doctrine must be contained.

The Case for War is Blown Apart
'Tony Blair stood accused last night of misleading Parliament and the British people over Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction, and his claims that the threat posed by Iraq justified war. "I believe the Prime Minister lied to us and lied to us and lied to us. The whole war was built upon falsehood and I think the long-term damage will be to democracy in Britain" Tony Benn, the former Labour minister.

'Robin Cook, the former foreign secretary, seized on a "breathtaking" statement by the US Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, that Iraq's weapons may have been destroyed before the war, and anger boiled over among MPs who said the admission undermined the legal and political justification for war.'

This is opposition from within Blair's own party. Crean and Labor in Australia cannot see fit to make a statement on this 'catastrophic lie', even though they could have a united position and the PM Howard is surely exposed.

The Case for War is Blown Apart
'Tony Blair stood accused last night of misleading Parliament and the British people over Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction, and his claims that the threat posed by Iraq justified war. "I believe the Prime Minister lied to us and lied to us and lied to us. The whole war was built upon falsehood and I think the long-term damage will be to democracy in Britain" Tony Benn, the former Labour minister.

'Robin Cook, the former foreign secretary, seized on a "breathtaking" statement by the US Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, that Iraq's weapons may have been destroyed before the war, and anger boiled over among MPs who said the admission undermined the legal and political justification for war.'

This is opposition from within Blair's own party. Crean and Labor in Australia cannot see fit to make a statement on this 'catastrophic lie', even though they could have a united position and the PM Howard is surely exposed.

The Pentagon's Covert Iran Plan
'The Pentagon is advocating a massive covert action program to overthrow Iran's ruling ayatollahs as the only way to stop the country's nuclear weapons ambitions... The objective of the Pentagon proposal to destabilize the Iranian government is based on the belief that the religious hard-liners are opposed by the majority of the Iranian population and any pressure would make them crack — a view that some analysts find dubious.'

An interesting aspect of this US media report is the way in which it dispenses with propaganda formulations and proceeds directly to an analysis of the state of debate within the Bush administration and the likelihood of the program to topple the Iranian government being taken up.

The Pentagon's Covert Iran Plan
'The Pentagon is advocating a massive covert action program to overthrow Iran's ruling ayatollahs as the only way to stop the country's nuclear weapons ambitions... The objective of the Pentagon proposal to destabilize the Iranian government is based on the belief that the religious hard-liners are opposed by the majority of the Iranian population and any pressure would make them crack — a view that some analysts find dubious.'

An interesting aspect of this US media report is the way in which it dispenses with propaganda formulations and proceeds directly to an analysis of the state of debate within the Bush administration and the likelihood of the program to topple the Iranian government being taken up.

Pentagon not Australia as base for troops in Asian reshuffle: Hill
'The Pentagon is planning a broad realignment of troops in Asia that may include moving marines out of Japan and establishing a network of small bases in countries such as Australia, Singapore and Malaysia. The Minister for Defence, Robert Hill, is due to meet the US Deputy Defence Secretary, Paul Wolfowitz, in Singapore at the weekend and will discuss the proposals... The US is considering moving most of the 20,000 marines in Okinawa to new bases that would be established in Australia; increasing the presence of US troops in Singapore and Malaysia; and seeking agreements to base navy ships in Vietnamese waters and ground troops in the Philippines.'

Questions for Prime Minister John Howard and Defence Minister Robert Hill: Will the government rule out the basing of US or any foreign troops on Australian territory except in the case of a direct threat to Australian security such as the Japanese offensive of the Second World War? Does Australia have enough of its own troops and forces to defend its own territory in the current environment?

Pentagon not Australia as base for troops in Asian reshuffle: Hill
'The Pentagon is planning a broad realignment of troops in Asia that may include moving marines out of Japan and establishing a network of small bases in countries such as Australia, Singapore and Malaysia. The Minister for Defence, Robert Hill, is due to meet the US Deputy Defence Secretary, Paul Wolfowitz, in Singapore at the weekend and will discuss the proposals... The US is considering moving most of the 20,000 marines in Okinawa to new bases that would be established in Australia; increasing the presence of US troops in Singapore and Malaysia; and seeking agreements to base navy ships in Vietnamese waters and ground troops in the Philippines.'

Questions for Prime Minister John Howard and Defence Minister Robert Hill: Will the government rule out the basing of US or any foreign troops on Australian territory except in the case of a direct threat to Australian security such as the Japanese offensive of the Second World War? Does Australia have enough of its own troops and forces to defend its own territory in the current environment?