Iraq war protests await Cheney on Australia visit

[maddezmom]

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Protesters plan to deliver a firm anti- Iraq war message to Vice President Dick Cheney in Australia on Thursday as one of his firmest allies faces searching questions over its commitment to the unpopular war.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has ruled out following Britain's example by reducing troop numbers in Iraq but his unwavering commitment has him walking through a political minefield toward an election later this year.

"Mr Howard is enduring a perfect storm on the alliance and Iraq at the moment, a series of unexpected events which are combining to make for difficult sailing," Michael Fullilove, global issues director at the Lowy Institute thinktank in Sydney, told Reuters on Thursday.

Police began a security clampdown in Sydney ahead of Cheney's potentially stormy visit, warning commuters of major traffic jams due to city road closures during Cheney's visit.

Cheney was due to arrive late on Thursday, with police and protesters squaring off over the legality of a planned demonstration and march to the U.S. consulate in Sydney.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070222/pl_nm/cheney_dc_2

[Eurobabe]

1. Come on Aussies! Make Darth Cheney feel REALLY unwelcome!!

And post pix! K & R

[maddezmom]

6. a few more pics

Police stand their ground as protesters wave placards during a demonstration outside the Sydney Town Hall February 22, 2007. Anti-Iraq war protesters clashed with police in Australia's biggest city on Thursday ahead of a visit by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, underlining divisions within one of Washington's firmest allies over the unpopular war. REUTERS/Will


Police run through an intersection in central Sydney during a demonstration headed for the U.S. Consulate February 22, 2007. Anti-Iraq war protesters clashed with police in Australia's biggest city on Thursday ahead of a visit by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, underlining divisions within one of Washington's firmest allies over the unpopular war. REUTERS/Will Burgess (AUSTRALIA)

[maddezmom]

2. updated: Iraq war protests grow before Cheney's Australia trip

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Anti- Iraq war protesters clashed with police in Australia's biggest city on Thursday ahead of a visit by Vice President Dick Cheney, underlining divisions within one of Washington's firmest allies over the unpopular war.

Police detained about six people when up to 200 Stop the War Coalition protesters, demanding Australian Prime Minister John Howard pull troops out of Iraq, tried to march from Sydney Town Hall to the U.S. consulate.

A heavy police presence, including officers mounted on horseback, ringed the protesters in an attempt to minimize disruption to peak-hour commuters, some of whom also squabbled with police.

Protesters held placards saying "Dick Go Home & Take John With You" and "Stop Cheney, Troops Out." Police later relented and shepherded protesters as they marched toward the consulate.

more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070222/pl_nm/cheney_dc_3

[maddezmom]

3. Cheney protesters pushed back...pics

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5397266,00.jpg




Demonstrators lock arms and block a major inner city intersection during a protest against the visit of U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007. Cheney arrives in Australia on Thursday to thank one of Washington's staunchest supporters of the increasingly unpopular Iraq war — an ally that has become a rarity by offering more, not fewer, troops for Iraq and Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

[cui bono]

5. Sweet. nt

[maddezmom]

4. another pic

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/02/22/js22blackhawk_wideweb__470x312,0.jpg
A Black Hawk carries out anti-terrorist training in Sydney's CBD.
Photo: Wade Laube

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/protesters-clash-with-police/2007/02/22/1171733922454.html

[no safe haven]

7. A big Aussie welcome to War Lord Cheney

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/02/22/cheney_protest_wideweb__470x359,0.jpg

more...
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/cheney-visit-prompts-protests/2007/02/22/1171733922521.html

edit to add link

[Olney Blue]

8. They are throwing a little Cheney on the barbie.

I LOVE Australia. :yourock:

[maddezmom]

9. a few more pics in GD

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x265162

[rodeodance]

10. SWEET. Thanks Aussies

[Eurobabe]

11. Good'ay MATES! Ah, to see the Aussies kicking Cheney's sorry ass to the curb!

More, more!!

[Na Gael]

15. Aussies Should Welcome Cheney

(disclaimer for those unable to detect sarcasm)

The Australians should treat Cheney like royalty. Trumpets should sound upon his arrival, with rose petals tosses at his feet.
-Then maybe...Just maybe, he will stay, "Down Under."

Come-on Australia, take one for the team...Please?

[Eurobabe]

16. Cheney would get voted off the island too

maybe they could push him to a radioactive atoll somewhere nearby? :D

[democrank]

12. Dick Cheney, War Criminal.

Perfect. ~PEACE~

[rodeodance]

13. Cheney to make rare visit to Australia (3 day visit)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070222/ap_on_re_au_an/australia_cheney;_ylt=AhqoEY6Q2bSX4u6y8AWVZs7MWM0F
Cheney to make rare visit to Australia

By ROHAN SULLIVAN, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 55 minutes ago

SYDNEY, Australia - Vice President Dick Cheney arrives in Australia on Thursday to thank one of Washington's staunchest supporters of the increasingly unpopular
Iraq war — an ally that has become a rarity by offering more, not fewer, troops for Iraq and Afghanistan.


Iraq and other security issues are expected to dominate Cheney's three-day visit and talks with Prime Minister John Howard, who is under increasing political pressure to set an exit strategy for Australia's 1,400 troops in and around Iraq.

The focus intensified Wednesday when the British government and other allies announced plans to start withdrawing forces from Iraq, leaving Howard to explain why he is not doing the same.

Opinion polls show the Iraq conflict is deeply unpopular among Australians, and anti-war demonstrations are planned outside venues in Sydney where Cheney is to speak or hold meetings.

Hours before Cheney's arrival, police clashed with protesters at Sydney's town hall. Ten people were arrested after about 200 demonstrators tried to break through a police cordon and march on the U.S. consulate, said Supt. Ron Mason.

[maddezmom]

14. the master of diplomacy, doesn't have time to meet with the Japanese Def Minister

who happened to be critical of the Bush administration, but has time to spend 3 days with his cronies.

[Eurobabe]

17. Something tells me that rat bastard is notifying our "allies"

that Iran is next.

[cal04]

18. Further protests Cheney expected

FURTHER protests are expected today as US Vice-President Dick Cheney begins his three-day Sydney visit with a major address on US-Australian relations.

Mr Cheney arrived in the city yesterday, stepping off Air Force 2 just after 10.45pm (AEDT), before being whisked away in a black limousine under escort to his accommodation in the CBD.

His first official function will be delivering a major speech to the Australian-American Leadership Dialogue this morning.

(snip)
The Stop the War Coalition have planned a major demonstration to coincide with Mr Cheney's address at 9.30am (AEDT) in The Rocks.

The same group were behind a protest yesterday to mark Mr Cheney's arrival, in which seven people were charged after a violent scuffle with police.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21273302-1702,00.html