The Aussies are speaking aloud what is only being rumored in the U.S. this weekend. There was no mention of this statement on the Sunday morning talk shows in the U.S., despite discussion on all of the shows about our stance on Iran.
The Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, delivered a tough, last-chance call to Iran yesterday to crack down on al-Qaeda terrorists allegedly in the country. His warning came as the United States threatened aggressive action to overthrow the Iranian Government.Mr Downer told his Iranian counterpart, Kamal Kharrazi, that Tehran must do everything possible to crack down on al-Qaeda and other terrorists. Australia wanted to see tougher action and Washington saw this as a "life-or-death issue", he told Dr Kharrazi.
Australian officials confirmed that Mr Downer was delivering the warning on behalf of Canberra and Washington. "I cannot put this issue strongly enough, this is fundamental for Australia and America," Mr Downer told the Herald.
The US cancelled planned talks with Iran this week in protest against alleged terrorist links. Washington claims an al-Qaeda official, Saif al-Adel, directed this month's bombings in Saudi Arabia from Iran and that Tehran had advance warning of the attacks.
via the Sydney Morning Herald
Posted by Alan at May 25, 2003 12:16 PM