Fed: Who's who to condemn Howard foreign policy

AAP General News (Australia)
08-07-2004
Fed: Who's who to condemn Howard foreign policy

A who's who of Australian military chiefs, departmental heads and diplomats are reportedly
launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD'S foreign policy with a call
for truth in government.

The Sun-Herald says 40 high profile people will sign a statement expected to strongly
condemn what the paper calls the misleading of the Australian people over the reasons
for invading Iraq.

The paper says the statement will warn that if government cannot be trusted by its
own citizens, Australia cannot expect its word to be trusted internationally.

It says it is understood the statement will call for Australia to stop what it says
is rubber stamping United States policies.

Signatories are believed to include former chiefs of the Australian Defence Force,
Admiral ALAN BEAUMONT and General PETER GRATION, two former Navy chiefs, Vice Admiral
SIR RICHARD PEEK and Admiral MIKE HUDSON, and a former Air Force chief, Air MARSHALL RAY
FUNNELL.

The list was also expected to include six former department heads and prominent figures
in the intelligence and diplomatic communities.

AAP RTV bk/rgr/wz

KEYWORD: STATEMENT (SYDNEY)

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