April 26, 2004

RUSH TO WAR AVERTED

Australia’s foreign minister says Madeleine Albright was gunning for war five years before Bush invaded:

In 1998, then US secretary of state Madeleine Albright wanted to take military action to overthrow Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, Mr Downer said.

"That was her view in 1998," he told Channel 10.

But Mr Downer said the focus shifted once George W. Bush took over as US president.

"In 2001, I don't recall there being too much focus in our conversations with the Americans about Iraq," he said.

Posted by Tim Blair at April 26, 2004 05:16 AM
Comments

this is interesting. I wonder if it will make the American press?

I am not surprised since regime change in Iraq was Bill Clinton's stated policy. Seems to me that I read some quotes from Clinton, Berger and Albright about Saddam, himself, being the real threat if sanctions were removed.

Looks like GWB didn't think it up by himself.

Posted by: Ted at April 26, 2004 at 07:58 AM

Rings true. However, a large chunk of the anti-war side won't break stride over this, since the rea hard core (especially Chompsker and Pilgey) hate Democrats, or at least electable Democrats, as much as they hate Republicans.

Posted by: Uncle Milk at April 26, 2004 at 12:11 PM

Arr but a Alan Colmes is fond of saying "They didn't invade a country" see inaction is the pathway to the high ground.

Posted by: Gary at April 26, 2004 at 01:12 PM

They actually wanted to invade the country before they didn't invade it.

Posted by: Sortelli at April 26, 2004 at 04:33 PM

kieth locke and alex davidson would like to condem
alex downers comments.Bush invaded a peace loving regime.A country with an outstanding human rights record the envy of the world.

How dare you imply a democrate would invade such a wonderful country like Iraq.

I am proud to be a kiwi when we sided with Iraq and hammus and I speak for kieth locke when I say we should welcome them to nz.

Also I hope ahmed zaoui will become our first islamic prime minister and then we can let the peace loving gia into nz people who respect drug use womens rights and homosexuality all things
the greens believe in and so do hammus and osama
and Iraq and syria because the are supported by us
the future looks good keep it up newzealand and you will get you wish of sharia law by 2020 because of your deep seated hatred of capatilists.
zoop allah zoop allah go osama and go keith locke
and nandor.

Posted by: tim tam at April 26, 2004 at 07:43 PM

I want what tim tam's smoking.

Posted by: Andrea Harris at April 26, 2004 at 08:21 PM

I was drunk andrea I was reading the gaurdian online and my blood pressure went up.
so I had a few drinks and came to that conclusion.

Posted by: timtam at April 27, 2004 at 10:33 AM