Iraq, Shadow Cabinet Simon Crean - Leader of the Opposition

Radio Interview with Nicole Haack

Transcript - Radio 3AA - 10 January 2003

E & OE – PROOF ONLY

HAACK: Good afternoon and thanks for your time.

CREAN: My pleasure, Nicole, and happy new year to you.

HAACK: And to you. Now, you have been quoted as saying the Government is itching for war.

CREAN: Yes, well my criticism of the Government is it should be serious about pursuing the diplomatic solution, not just pretending it wants a diplomatic solution. It can't have it both ways, it can't say it wants a diplomatic solution but then argue the war footing. Now, the truth of it is the United Nations has taken charge of this issue. It's set a timetable, it's carried new resolutions, there's a deadline – the 27^th of January – that's what has to be worked towards. And what the Government should be doing is focussing every effort on getting that diplomatic solution, not talking up the war.

HAACK: What do you make on the news that our SAS Troops – and there's some debate over this – but it was suggested that the SAS Troops were brought back from holidays. That would tend to indicate that we are very much are planning towards a war footing.

CREAN: Well, as you say, there is a lot of confusion about what the factual position is about that, Nicole, and we're still, quite frankly, only the Government and the Defence Forces can answer that question. But, again I just make the point that whatever the speculation, whatever the reports, whatever the decision, it can only mean talking up the war. And what we need in these circumstances is people and a Government and a Prime Minister prepared to talk up the peace, and get behind a UN-based resolution of this issue.

HAACK: Is one of the frustrations of the Australian community at present, the fact that it would seem that a lot of this is happening behind the scenes?

CREAN: Yes.

HAACK: There isn't a lot that we actually are being told about. We're constantly being told there hasn't been a decision made but then we see a lot of movement, kind of, behind the scenes, and, I don't know, there's a sense that, that it's all hidden if you like.

CREAN: Yes, and that's the absolute wrong way to go about these things. This is a difficult issue to resolve. Saddam Hussein must comply with the decisions of the United Nations. I don't quibble with that. But what we've got to do is to ensure that it's the United Nations mandate that's enforced not some support for unilateral action outside of the UN process. And my argument consistently has been, let's get behind the UN process.

Now, the Government didn't support that view in the middle of last year, it was forced to that view because public opinion swung behind it. But, now we find that the Government wants to try and have it both ways. It wants to try and say it's supporting a diplomatic solution, but every opportunity it gets, it either allows the story of getting on the war footing to run or it doesn't refute it quickly enough.

HAACK: Where do you believe public opinion is at right now?

CREAN: I think public opinion is firmly behind the UN involvement and resolution of this issue. It's firmly behind a United Nations based resolution to the issue. It's not behind unilateral action pushed by the United States. And, not only is that where public opinion is – that's the correct position, Nicole. I mean, these are complicated issues. No one country can solve the issues outstanding in Iraq. What really put pressure on Iraq last time in the Gulf War was the United Nations mandate, the United Nations forces, the sanctions that the United Nations has imposed. I don't understand why countries and Government's don't learn from what has been successful in these circumstances. And that's why I'm absolutely convinced that the correct way to go is backing the United Nations, that's what I'll continue to argue and I believe that's what the majority of Australians want.

HAACK: Are Australians taking the issue seriously at present? I mean, there doesn't seem to be a lot of discussion within the community about it. Is it still that it's just that step away?

CREAN: I think, there has to be concern about it because it's constantly in the news, and I think, post the Bali situation there is a heightened concern about security and threats on Australian soil. And that's why we have to be very careful about the way in which we progress the issue in Australia's interests. I've argued since Bali that the priority has to be focussing on securing our country and in our region. We obviously have a very strong relationship with the United States and the alliance with it – and I don't quibble with that. I argue very strongly that that's been the mainstay of our defence and our security. But that doesn't mean you just go along with whatever they say. It means you use the relationship and argue very strongly for what's in our interests as well as global interests and regional security. And the best way to achieve the outcome in a lasting sense is through the United Nations framework. It was how the issue in Iraq was resolved on the last occasion. The complaint has been that Iraq is in defiance of further United Nations resolutions what we have to do is to let those resolutions and the processes associated with them run their course. Not talk up the war, but talk up a resolution, the framework for which has been established.

HAACK: Do you expect to hear a statement from the Prime Minister today regarding the high level Cabinet meeting that's being held in Canberra to discuss the prospect of a war in Iraq? Do you think that he will come out and make a significant statement?

CREAN: Well, I hope he comes out and makes some clarifying statement. I mean, here he is, he's just gone on leave, he goes on leave telling everyone he supports the diplomatic solution, but uses any opportunity to heighten concern and raise people's concerns. And that, I think, is playing politics at its worst. What we want is the Prime Minister committed to serving the nation's interests and our interests are served by a United Nations based resolution to this issue.

HAACK: All right, well we look forward to seeing whether in fact there is a statement made this afternoon. Thank you for your time this morning.

CREAN: Okay, thanks Nicole.

ENDS