Asia 'outraged' At Howard's Terror Call

[DanS]

Looking at it presented as the Age puts it...

"In a weekend interview on Channel Nine, Mr Howard said that "of course" he would intervene in a neighbouring country if terrorists there were planning to attack Australia and there was no alternative to prevent them. International law was inadequate to deal with modern national security threats and the UN charter should be amended to support pre-emption, he said."

It is entirely reasonable. Indeed, Howard would be obliged by his office to do anything that he could, with reasonable collateral risks.

Why is there so much fuss about it? Because it resembles American policy?

[Sprayber]

Originally posted by DanS
Why is there so much fuss about it? Because it resembles American policy?

Someone picked up on it. The dirty little secret is that any credible country on the planet would be forced to act in such a circumstance. Everyone talks of soverigty and of respecting boundries but when push comes to shove it's just that, talk.

[Guest]

Well, John Howard shook the tree, and look at all the little acorns that came falling down.

I hope it helped the various authorities in the countries of origin of the "spokesmen".

[notyoueither]

Bravo Australia, or at least one of you.

[DanS]

Some really funny articles coming out from Australia's neighbors about this. This poor fellow is about to have an aneurism describing how the Australians are going to eat other Asians for breakfast or something...

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/abs_news_body.asp?section=Opinion&OID=10274

The Malaysian PM has suggested Australia wants to become the SE Asia hegemon.

[ravagon]

Re: Asia 'outraged' At Howard's Terror Call

That statement is much more bark than bite if you consider the Australian power-projection capabilities (or rather, the lack thereof).
Very few countries are geographically threatened in any way - Indonesia and perhaps New Guinea at most.
Only real effect is in generating sound-bytes for the National press, and the other SE-Asian leaders have to know it and are just responding in kind.

[notyoueither]

Australian troops might find some help in transportation from some other interested party, if they need it...

[Sprayber]

Originally posted by notyoueither
Australian troops might find some help in transportation from some other interested party, if they need it...

Someone willing to share some of the heat for unilateral action

[Alexander's Horse]

Howard was just trying to support the Bush doctrine.

Our neighbours are scared of us. That much is true.

By regional standards we are big and bad.

[Guest]

That may be true.
But, whilst we may be able to "kick ass", there's no way we could hold on to conquered territory.

There's just too many of them, and not enough of us.

In reality, there is little doubt, that if we knew such a group was present and was planning a terrorist act in Australia, the best course of action would be to catch them entering Australia - then do them in.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by DanS
The Malaysian PM has suggested Australia wants to become the SE Asia hegemon.

I thought that the US and China were fighting it out for that title?

[Lefty Scaevola]

Originally posted by CICSMaster
In reality, there is little doubt, that if we knew such a group was present and was planning a terrorist act in Australia, the best course of action would be to catch them entering Australia - then do them in.

Like thoses several refugee smuggling ships that sank on their way to Oz?

[Lars-E]

John H wants to treat Asia the way the US has treated their own backyard?

[DinoDoc]

What exactly is wrong about what he said Lars?

[GePap]

I would love to see Australia try this stupid little policy...

As for the people out there demaniding an end to national sovereignty to fight 'terrorism': its a two way sword. There are plenty of toehr states that might just as well challenge old US policies and state that the US, or at least certain US personel or government officials have supported Terorism in the past, and thus the US must hand over these individual or face consequences.

NOw, you hawks might state: hell, the US is stronger, let them try. And then we start having diplomats thrown out, and anti-US riots, and all sorts fo nasty little things happen. Fine, you and I won't care, but plenty of Americans, and Australians, will. Interestingly enough, the people who deman the sovereignty of these states are the biggest boosters of their own: HYPOCRITES.

"Terrorism" is a definition, not a 'thing'. You don't get to chose law, or chose rights. Devalue one, and all of them go.