Australia Blames Philippines, Spain for Terrorist Threats

[Manix]

<snip>


Australia's foreign minister is blaming Spain and the Philippines for encouraging an Islamic militant group to threaten Australia with terrorist attacks, if it does not withdraw from Iraq.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer admonished the countries for caving in to terrorist demands by withdrawing troops from Iraq.

Mr. Downer criticized a Philippine decision to withdraw its contingent early last week to secure the release of a truck driver held hostage by Iraqi militants. He blamed Manila's decision to negotiate with terrorists for the recent taking of six other hostages.

The Associate Press reports that the Philippines' national security advisor has criticized Mr. Downer for being what he called "narrow-minded" in blaming the Philippines for the new kidnappings. Norberto Gonzalez said coalition countries must re-examine why the insurgency in Iraq has persisted and intensified in recent months.

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VOA News

[acmavm]

1. So just because the Phillipines and Spain support their citizens, and just

because Howard got Austrailia involved in bush* & Co.'s endless war, they are now responsible for terrorist threats.

Maybe Austrailia ought to go back and look at what sent them to Iraq in the first place. They didn't have to go, they had no legitimate reason to go. But they went willingly with bells on. That is the basis of their problem, not the decision of any other country to listen to the voices of their people or try to save their lives when they figure out that endless war just isn't worth the life of even one of them.

[D-Notice]

2. Hmmm...

Lives of your citizens vs the demands of the US...

Tough choice!

Of course we will have to put the interests of Bush over our people!

[0007]

3. Alexander Downer & John Howard are two sick cats

Bring the troops home goddamnit!!

[daleo]

4. "World blames Australia for Terrorist Threats"

"The World admonished Foreign Minister Alexander Downer for caving in to American demands by sending troops to Iraq."

Note: I only blame the current Australian government of Bush lickers, not the population.

[Frances]

5. But Bush is a uniter, not a divider

[Matilda]

6. And John Howard is an independent thinker.

n/t