BURNS: Taking sides in the Middle East - February 11, 2010

AFP

by Ailsa Burns  -  newmatilda.com -  11 February 2010

Australia has been one of Israel’s most uncritical supporters since its beginnings, writes Ailsa Burns. But how long can we keep this support going, and what is it costing us?

Not long after taking office, and after a meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, Prime Minister Rudd announced Australia’s intention to seek a seat on the UN Security Council for 2013-2014. He claimed it was time Australia had a voice in world affairs appropriate to our status as a diplomatic middle power, and castigated the former Howard government’s lack of concern for our international reputation and its servility to the US.

Shifting from UN-speak into his colloquial mode he noted that the last time Australia sat on the Security Council was 1986, and it had been “a long time between drinks…We’re about to have a go. I think 30 years is a fair enough old wait between drinks and I think it’s time we actually got cracking and see what support we can get.” He added that success was far from guaranteed but “you have to declare your intention and run like fury and that’s what we intend to do”. Read More…

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