Don’t Bomb Iran

Howard mediating US-Iran N-stand off

CANBERRA: Australia had become a mediator in a nuclear standoff between Iran and the United States, Prime Minister John Howard said on Sunday, in a move that mirrors Australia’s role in the North Korea nuclear crisis.

AFP story Feb 7 2005
Howard said Australia had been able to use its close alliance with the United States and diplomatic ties with Iran to act as a go-between for the two nations - a role illustrated when US President George W Bush called him on Friday.

“I was able to talk at some length with President Bush about the substance of my discussion with the Iranian Foreign Minister (at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland),” Howard told Australian television.

“I think all of that helps … There are a number of countries around the world that we talk to that the Americans don’t talk to in the same way and we are able to pass on information,” he said.

Australia has used its diplomatic ties with North Korea to also act as a mediator between the reclusive communist state and the United States in a bid to break a deadlock over Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions. afp