Fed: Former diplomats, defence chief call for truth in govt=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2004
Fed: Former diplomats, defence chief call for truth in govt=2

In the statement, they said a re-elected Howard government or an elected Mark Latham
government must give priority to truth in government.

They said this was fundamental to effective parliamentary democracy and Australians
must be able to believe they are being told the truth by leaders, especially in situations
as grave as committing forces to war.

"We are concerned that Australia was committed to join the invasion of Iraq on the
basis of false assumptions and deception of the Australian people.

"Saddam's dictatorial regime has ended but removing him was not the reason given to
the Australian people for going to war.

"The prime minister said in March 2003 that our policy was the disarmament of Iraq
not the removal of Saddam Hussein."

The statement said it was a matter for regret that the action to combat terrorism
after September 11, 2001, launched in Afghanistan and widely supported had been diverted
to the widely opposed war in Iraq.

They said the outcome had been destructive, especially for Iraq and the international
system had been subjected to enormous and continuing stresses.

"It is of concern that the international prestige of the United States and its presidency
has fallen precipitously over the last two years," they said.

"Because of our government's unquestioning support for the Bush administration's policy,
Australia has also been adversely affected.

"Terrorist activity, instead of being contained, has increased. Australia has not become
safer by invading and occupying Iraq and now has a higher profile as a terrorist target."

AAP mb/cdh/sd

KEYWORD: STATEMENT LEAD 2 CANBERRA

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