Carr tells Latham to toe US line

[struggle4progress]

LABOR'S longest-serving leader, NSW Premier Bob Carr, has warned Mark Latham to exercise the "utmost diplomacy" on withdrawing troops from Iraq and urged him to accept the US free trade deal "the sooner the better".

Mr Carr, who has just returned from a two-week visit to the US, warned his federal counterparts Washington feels "wounded" and is sensitive "to any ally, any friend, turning their back on America".

The NSW Premier said he had been told in Washington that Canberra should think "carefully about a premature withdrawal from Iraq" because helping the US in a "tough time" meant Australia could have an influence on US policies.
<snip>

"I'm contemplating a change of government - if Labor is to be elected in the forthcoming elections, this will be a major diplomatic challenge," he said.
<snip>

http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,9957246%5E421,00.html


Mr. Carr is completely delusional. The Bushistas throw tantrums when they don't get their way but show no gratitude whatsoever to those who go along with them.

[smiley_glad_hands]

1. Yeah their wounded alright---in the brain.

[Ms. Clio]

2. 'helping the US in a "tough time" meant Australia could have an influence

on U.S. policies."

That's what Tony Blair believed, too, and it turned out to be utter bullshit. I hope Latham doesn't fall for it.

Washington feels "wounded" and is sensitive "to any ally, any friend, turning their back on America".

Reminds me of that Capitol Blue article about Bush's paranoia.