NT: PM must admit Rambo error: Crean
By Rod McGuirk
DARWIN, Aug 12 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard must admit the error of his government'sRambo approach to Iraq, Opposition Leader Simon Crean said today.
Mr Crean commented after Mr Howard denied a Rambo approach behind Foreign MinisterAlexander Downer's statements that provoked Iraq into cancelling wheat imports.
"Everyone thinks they're being Rambo, everyone knows Alexander is being Rambo," MrCrean said in Darwin.
"Even his own parliamentary colleagues are leaking against him, saying what he saidwas inappropriate.
"He (Mr Howard) ought to be man enough to admit what everyone else knows - AlexanderDowner's statements have cost us, they didn't need to.
"Let's get back to a cool headed approach, that's what I'll join the prime minister with."
Mr Howard had to discipline Mr Downer for going beyond the American position on a potentialmilitary conflict with Iraq, Mr Crean said.
Mr Crean rejected Defence Minister Robert Hill's criticism that the opposition wouldhave Iraq blackmail Australia over wheat.
"No one's expecting them to give into Iraqi threats whatever those threats are," Mr Crean said.
"Australia should stand proud and we should be supportive of international effortsto rid the world of the threat of weapons of mass destruction.
"But done properly, it's doesn't mean we have to suffer on the trade front."
He maintained that the wheat trade had continued in 1991 despite Australian supportfor the war against Iraq.
AAP rmg/cd/bwl
KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST CREAN LEAD
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