For one thing they say that Labour (Rudd)--like our Democrats--essentially supports US wars of aggression. As here, 78% of Australians oppose the Iraq War, and the two political parties at the top blockade that will of the people from being implemented. The article gives cogent background on Cheney's "Project for a New American Century" (PNAC--the NeoCon agenda), and US/Aussie relations re the Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran wars. Here's their read on Cheney's visit to Australia...
The gist: "While the official purpose of Cheney’s visits is to 'thank' the Japanese and Australian governments for their 'efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan', the context leaves little doubt that the administration’s plans for a confrontation with Iran will be the key issue on the agenda with its principal allies in the Pacific."
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"Under conditions where the Bush administration is refusing to rule out war over its allegations that Iran is attempting to construct nuclear weapons and (is) supplying weapons to Iraqi insurgents for attacks on American forces, Cheney’s trip is ominous. He suffers poor health and rarely travels overseas on matters of state. When he does, it is always for reasons of the highest priority for the Bush White House and its militarist agenda. His last trip was to Saudi Arabia in November, 2006 when he cajoled the Saudi monarchy to back the administration’s plans for a surge of troops into Iraq and to help forge an anti-Iranian alliance of Arab states. Following Cheney’s visit, Saudi Arabia increased oil production in order to force down prices and place greater economic pressure on Iran.
"The Iranian regime has categorically denied the US allegations, and the Bush administration has produced no evidence to support them. Nevertheless Washington is accelerating its preparations for war. Two aircraft carrier battle groups are now in the Persian Gulf, while state-of-the-art air bases have been completed at Bagram in Afghanistan and near Balad in Iraq that would facilitate a round-the-clock aerial bombardment of Iran’s military, economic and political infrastructure. The CIA is allegedly conducting covert operations inside the country, attempting to provoke unrest against the regime among the country’s numerous ethnic minorities.
"Tensions are steadily rising. Last week, Tehran accused the US of involvement in a terrorist attack in southeast Iran which killed 11 Iranian soldiers. This week, the deadline expires for Iran to comply with a United Nations resolution instructing it to cease enriching uranium.
"While the official purpose of Cheney’s visits is to 'thank' the Japanese and Australian governments for their 'efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan', the context leaves little doubt that the administration’s plans for a confrontation with Iran will be the key issue on the agenda with its principal allies in the Pacific.
"Cheney’s talks with political leaders in Japan and Australia constitute gatherings of what can only be described as an international criminal cabal. Behind the backs of ordinary people, sordid deals will be done to escalate the criminal violence emanating from Washington. In exchange for ongoing US support, Abe and Howard will be expected, at the very least, to echo US lies and fabrications about Tehran in the UN and other forums, as they did in relation to Iraq, thus providing a veneer of international support for further Bush administration war crimes.
"Not one question has been raised in the Australian parliament or mass media over the steadily escalating threats against Iran. No one within the official establishment has demanded answers from Howard or Rudd as to whether they will support US military action. Instead, a conspiracy of silence is underway to prevent working people from being alerted to the Bush administration’s advanced preparations for an even bloodier conflict in the Middle East.
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Here are their political plans:
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"The World Socialist Web Site and the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) have issued the call for an international mobilisation of working people, students and youth against the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the war drive against Iran.
"The political basis of such a movement must be the complete independence of the working class from the establishment political parties; the demand for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan and Iraq; the arrest and prosecution of the political leaders responsible for the war, including John Howard and his cabinet; opposition to all forms of communalism and nationalism; and a struggle for the socialist reorganisation of society to meet the needs and aspirations of the vast majority of the world’s population.
"The Socialist Equality Party in Australia is standing in the NSW elections to advance this program. We urge all opponents of militarism and war to support the SEP campaign politically and practically, to vote for our candidates and to make the decision to join and build our party.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2007/feb2007/chen-f21.shtml
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