Don’t Bomb Iran

10 March 2006 - The Australian Prime Minister slammed Iran for “obviously behaving outside her obligations” under “the nuclear treaty she signed”, and hoped the UN system could deal with it. Echoing rightwing American attacks on the usefulness of the UN , John Howard implied that the UN failed to do the right thing and support his invasion of Iraq, and that the Iran situation would be another test of the UN’s usefulness. He didn’t explain how Iran is ‘outside her’ treaty obligations - perhaps because she isn’t.

See the Age article where “Mr Howard said those critical of the United States, UK and Australian governments for invading Iraq would see for themselves how effective the UN was when it decided what action to take against Iran.”

From ABC radio, 10 March 2006

The Prime Minister, John Howard, has backed US claims that Iran is a threat.

JOHN HOWARD: The nuclear issue with Iran is a huge worry, because Iran is obviously behaving outside her obligations under the treaty she signed, the nuclear treaty, and so far has been quite unresponsive and only agrees to talk to people when a lot of pressure is applied.

PAULA KRUGER: But, speaking on Southern Cross Radio, he also threw the spotlight on the UN Security Council and its ability to resolve disputes.

JOHN HOWARD: This will be an interesting test of the United Nations.

People who were critical of George Bush, and myself, and Tony Blair, and others over Iraq, because we didn’t keep endlessly going back to the United Nations in 2003, now have an opportunity to see how effectively the United Nations will work.

I’m in favour of this matter going to the United Nations. I’m in favour of the United Nations exercising all the influence it can to bring about a change in Iran. And let’s hope that it works.