War mad, says ex-defence head
By IAN McPHEDRAN, defence reporter
12feb03
A RETIRED defence chief has accused the Howard Government of madness in
pursuing war against Iraq.
Former Chief of Defence Admiral Alan Beaumont said there was no
justification for war without United Nations backing, and little
justification for war with it.
He also warned the military campaign could be long and bloody and attacked
the Government for promoting a low-casualty operation.
"This is bloody mad," Admiral Beaumont told the Herald Sun yesterday. "I
don't understand how it is in the national interest to kow-tow to the US."
Admiral Beaumont said despite lack of evidence on Iraq's weapons stockpile,
Australia was now fully integrated into US war plans and would be unable to
back out.
He said he had discussed the war with about 30 former military chiefs and
all were against a campaign without a UN mandate.
"No one I know supports the Government's position," he said.
Retired Major-General Alan Stretton said he could not understand why
Australia was meekly following the US to war.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,5970533^661,00.html
