Syria: Feelings of déjà vu

Events over the last 24 hours, in addition to eliciting that feeling of déjà vu, validate Iraq War Inquiry Group's core positions in a most dramatic way.

Here we go again; the US is poised to undertake a military strike against Syria, and does not feel it needs to await the report of the UN weapons inspectors because, as John Kerry puts it, we can rely on our conscience and common sense. It will be without UN authority, but US/UK leaders insist it will be legal. It will be limited and proportionate, says David Cameron – aren’t they all? It is not about regime change (neither ostensibly were Iraq or Libya).

At least the British Government is recalling Parliament for a debate and a vote - but contrary to his position in Opposition, Cameron insists this vote will not be binding; the Government will decide.

Meanwhile in Australia Kevin Rudd is enjoying the spotlight and the prospect that our Ambassador to the UN becomes President of the Security Council from next Monday. Kevin Rudd won't countenance and inquiry into how we got into war in Iraq and is opposed to shifting the “war powers” to Parliament, but apparently on television last night raised doubt about Tony Abbott’s suitability (“doesn’t have the temperament”) to make such decisions. Nothing could better illustrate our concerns – leaving aside any question about particular individuals, a robust decision-making process will not be critically dependent upon the vagaries of who happens to be Prime Minister at the time.

Reply from ALP National Secretariat

We have today received from the National Secretariat of the Australian Labor Party a reply to our letter of 13 August 2013 to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.  The full text is below:

Begins

23 August 2013

Mr Paul Barratt

President Iraq War Inquiry Group Inc

Suite 406, 1 Queens Road

Melbourne Vic 3004

Dear Mr Barratt

Thank you for your letter of 13 August regarding the Federal Labor Party’s policy on Iraq. As you know, the Howard Government’s decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003 was not supported by the Federal Labor Party in Opposition. That is why we had a commitment in opposition to withdraw Australian combat troops from Iraq and why we delivered on that commitment in Government.

1. Executive authority

Under the Constitution, decisions on the deployment of the Australian Defence Force on overseas missions are made by the government of the day.

2. Parliamentary war powers

The Federal Labor Government supports parliamentary debate over all matters of crucial national security importance.

3. The ANZUS Alliance

Australia’s alliance with the United States of America remains a fundamental pillar of our national security and stability in our region.

4. ANZUS

The Federal Labor Government remains committed to fulfilling all obligations under the terms of the 1951 ANZUS Treaty, which are consistent with the UN Charter’s provisions on the use of force.

5. Iraq War Inquiry

Several inquiries have been conducted into this matter, including through a joint parliamentary committee in 2004. The Federal Labor Government does not propose to initiate or conduct another inquiry into these issues.

6. WMD verification, monitoring and compliance

The Labor Opposition strongly supported the UN inspection regime in Iraq, including the UN Special Commission and the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Mission prior to the 2003 war.

The Federal Labor Government continues to support existing mechanisms for the verification, monitoring and compliance of global non-proliferation efforts. As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Australia chairs the committees on Iran sanctions, Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

Labor Governments have a strong record on WMD non-proliferation including establishing export control regimes such as the Australia Group, and ensuring the passage of the Chemical Weapons Convention through the United Nations General Assembly.

Regards

Carl

Information Services Unit

Authorised by G. Wright, 5/9 Sydney Avenue, Barton ACT 2604.

Australian Labor

PO Box 6222 KINGSTON ACT 2604

T: 1800 10 31 31  E: campaign13@chq.alp.org.au

| www.alp.org.au

Ends

Letter to The Hon. Kevin Rudd MP

Letter despatched today to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Similar letters despatched to Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, Nationals Leader Warren Truss and Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne.

13 August 2013

The Hon. Kevin Rudd MP

Prime Minister of Australia

Parliament House

CANBERRA ACT 2600

Dear Mr Rudd

I write to you on behalf of the Campaign for an Iraq War Inquiry to ascertain the Australian Labor Party’s policy in the context of the current Federal Election campaign on several matters which are of central importance to our membership.

Our members and supporters would be interested to know your answers to the following questions:

1.   Do you believe the Prime Minister should continue to have the authority to take Australia to war on her/his own?

2.   Would you support a new bill requiring parliamentary debate and approval before the Australian Defence Force is deployed in overseas combat operations?

3.   Do you support taking ANZUS back to its

(a)   Original obligation of consultations (not automatic military action);

(b)   Original geography (the Pacific area); and

(c)   Original purpose (defence against an armed attack)?

4.   Do you support Article 1 of the ANZUS Treaty which obliges Australia "to refrain... from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations"? Would you support legislation to require UN authorisation for Australia to go to war other than in response to an armed attack?

5.   The United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Denmark have each initiated a public inquiry into their involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Do you support a review of the process by which the Australian Government decided to join the invasion, in order to determine whether the process was satisfactory?

6.   Do you believe that Australia should defer to the established international channels for WMD verification, monitoring and compliance?

Yours sincerely,

Paul Barratt

President