Jim Nolan, in The Age, criticizes the stance of the Australian Labor Party over the war in Iraq:
Today, Iraqis for the first time in three decades have a chance for a decent future; the world has witnessed the capture of Saddam Hussein, the about-face of Libya over weapons programs and the change of heart in Iran over inspections.
One could be excused for hoping these developments might herald a rethink by Labor on Iraq and a loosening of the caucus line – especially after members of the federal caucus signed a letter to President George Bush welcoming the removal of Saddam.
No such liberalisation appears to be in prospect. Just this week Latham is quoted as saying: “They made a mistake in going to a war on Iraq. Whatever the reason or motivation was I think it was a mistake.”
…..
Can we expect a vigorous debate on [the] issues at Labor’s national conference or will it be more of the same lazy consensus that has persistently shrunk from confronting the real human rights argument for intervention in Iraq[?]Will there be a ringing call for an overhaul of a sclerotic UN and a commitment of real resources and assistance to build a democratic Iraq? Or will Australian Labor retreat… into a “facade of spurious unity” because anything other than token approval of the removal of Saddam will have the appearance of a concession to John Howard?