Howard backs US - on 'his' terms

By GREG ANSLEY Australia correspondent

CANBERRA - Australia yesterday readied itself to join a United States-led attack on Iraq as President George W. Bush prepared to put his case for war to the United Nations and a divided Congress.

Although Prime Minister John Howard continued to push for a diplomatic solution and said Washington had not yet made any request for Australian military involvement, his Defence Minister said the Gulf was heading for war.

"If the US reaches the conclusion that there is no other alternative - and it seems to be gradually heading that way - then it is reasonable to expect they will seek some assistance from Australia," Senator Robert Hill said.

"And in the past, when the US has been under threat and it has sought assistance from Australia, we've been prepared to give it."

Australia committed warships, aircraft, and SAS troops to the war in Afghanistan.

But as the Government talked tough and prepared for possible retaliation with the formation of new special forces and chemical, biological and nuclear response units in Sydney, political opposition continued to mount.

Labor leader Simon Crean demanded a full explanation and debate of the reasons for joining the US against Iraq and accused Howard of being a lap-dog to Bush.

Canberra has been among America's most strident supporters on Iraq, and the two countries were alone in refusing to join the Kyoto accord on climate change at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg.

"Whenever he goes over and has his briefing with George Bush it seems that's what John Howard will follow," Crean said.

"That's not good enough. The Prime Minister of this country has to stand up for Australia's interests, not the interests of another country."

But during a visit yesterday to Amberley Air Force Base in Queensland, where the RAAF's F-111 bombers are based, Howard said the Government would decide for itself if joining an attack on Iraq was in Australia's interest.

Howard said if Australia were to be involved, a full explanation would be given and the decision would be debated in Parliament.

"I don't want to see, unless it is diplomatically unavoidable, Australian Defence Force personnel sent abroad. I would like to see every effort made through other avenues to achieve the desired outcome ... But the issue won't go away."

Hill, meanwhile, was in Sydney launching Australia's latest anti-terror force, formed at a cost of A$330 million ($385 million) over four years.

The force includes an incident response regiment specially trained to deal with chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive threats, and a new tactical assault group, similar to the Perth-based SAS.

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