News from the other end of the World...1

I’m going to start what I hope will be a regular feature here at Alan In Oz. Presenting the first addition of News From the Other End of the World.

Basically, I’ll scan the papers and relay what’s big news down here to those of you reading back in the States (or anywhere in the world, really. This is, after all, on the World Wide Web.) I want to give you guys an insight on how Austraalia works in the world, and just in general what’s going on down here.

The Top Story…

In a story that might not be getting a whole lot of press back home, Australian prime minister John Howard is attacking Democratic candidate Barack Obama’s Iraq policy.

"If I were running al Qaeda in Iraq, I would put a circle around March 2008 and be praying as many times as possible for a victory, not only for Obama but also for the Democrats,” said Howard, referring to the dateline Obama set for troop withdrawl from Iraq.

Australia does have a small presence in Iraq, supplying 1,400 troops. Something Obama made mention of.

"If Prime Minister Howard truly believes what he says, perhaps his country should find its way to contribute more than just 1,400 troops so some American troops can come home," he said. "It's easy to talk tough when it's not your country or your troops making the sacrifices."

Obama also suggested that the Aussies put more troops to Iraq help with the cause. Howard maintains that his country’s contributions are significant. Gwynne Dyer, a columnist that is published in The Canberra Times points out that this isn’t entirely correct. Australia’s population is about one-fifteenth of the population of the United States. So, if you work the numbers, one-fifteenth of the U.S. presence in Iraq is 10,600.

Why is Australia even in Iraq, you might ask. Well, its because the government here feels the need to be on good terms with the United States. Given its small population, the Australians fear invasion from Indonesia or other Asian countries. I picked up a book, “Australia in International Politics” and on page 5 (to give you an idea of how prevalent this way of thinking is) it reads…

“The turning point in World War II, which showed that the British were incapable of defending their far-flung empire in South-East Asia and the Pacific. Australia, too weak to protect its own territory from determined attack, had to find a ‘great and powerful friend’. That new friend was the USA, and Australia has been in close alliance with the USA ever since.”

Australia has fought alongside the US in many wars, most recently the one in Iraq. Yes, Australia does face the threat of terrorism (88 Australians were killed in the Bali Bombings in 2002, and ten were killed on September, 11) but as Mr. Dyer writes in Thursday’s column, “If the US were to invade Mars, Australia would send a battalion along to guard the supply depot.”

A link to the CNN story

A link to Dyer’s column.

A story relating to that last bit by Dyer. Perhaps that is why the leader of the Labour Party (think Democrats) is all in favor for a US Military Communications base in Western Australia….




Story 2 gives us an environmental concern. A Japanese whaling vessel is floating adrift near the world’s largest penguin breeding grounds. A fire aboard the ship makes it a risk to leak oil, and its in an area that’s hard to get to, and sees a lot of storms. So, an oil spill here (the ship carries over 300,000 gallons of oil) could be pretty bad.

Here’s the link.

Now for some sports. Already reeling from a stunning defeat to England (and I do mean stunning. The Aussies are kind of mad about this, actually) in cricket, the Green and Gold received more bad news when one of their top players badly twisted his ankle in practice. Brett Lee is now doubtful for next month’s Cricket World Cup.

The Aussies are playing New Zealand for three matches, but aren’t counting on a victory. Stephen Flemming, the Kiwi captain, told reporters that there is no such thing as a weak Australian team.

New Zealand and Australia play three one-day matches beginning Saturday.


In other news: Telstra doesn’t like the iPhone.


Sydney might use recycled water.


There is some political tension between Australia and the island nations.

Hope you like the new feature. More to come later.