DENNIS SHANAHAN
Armitage wrong to enter debate

July 08, 2004

RICHARD Armitage has made a mistake.

He may be right in saying there are differences within the ALP over Iraq, and there certainly are over the free trade agreement, but this injection into the debate is wrong.

It's wrong in principle and works against the interests of the US and Australia. This intervention is quite different to the US President's public assertions how Labor's policy might harm the coalition of the willing forces in Iraq.

Mr Bush was commenting on what Mark Latham's policy of early troop withdrawal would do to the implementation of US, British and Australian aims in Iraq.

He had already talked about other contemplated withdrawals and was stating his case for Australian troops to remain in Iraq.

Bush was defending US interests in declaring that Latham's policy would be disastrous.

Only this week British Labour's Jack Straw passed essentially the same judgment without an outcry over internal interference.

But Armitage has passed commentary, and a reflection, on the internal affairs of the Labor Party.

There may be deep concerns within the US administration about Latham's policies and attitudes towards the US and the relationship.

There may even be deep concerns about him as a leader. But on this point Armitage has to like it or lump it.

Labor is entitled to form its own opinions within its own councils. The US may not like them but if Latham is elected they will have the endorsement of the Australian people.

Armitage's actions are counterproductive to working with a Labor government, counterproductive to our own democratic processes and, ironically, counterproductive to US interests.

Every time the US administration attacks Latham, it makes it harder for those within Labor to argue for a pro-US position on Iraq and the FTA.

There are signs that calls from people such as Bob Carr for the "utmost diplomacy" on Iraq are having an effect within Labor but Armitage's behaviour only endangers the prospects of such diplomacy and of Labor endorsing the FTA.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,10073623%5E17301,00.html