ANNOUNCER:
Prime Minister Howard says it was his most difficult and solemn
decision. Now having agreed to offer military support to the US
in the confrontation with Saddam Hussein, Mr Howard is on the media
trail, his aim to sell the decision to the Australian people and
boost the diplomatic pressure on Iraq in the hope that the military
option may not be needed. In Canberra John Howard is with Paul Lyneham.
LYNEHAM:
Prime Minister welcome again to Nightline.
PRIME MINISTER
Thank you.
LYNEHAM:
Well you will be broadcasting live on the TV sets of Baghdad tonight
via CNN, what is your message to Saddam Hussein?
PRIME MINISTER
For the sake of your own people comply with the United Nations
resolutions.
LYNEHAM:
But it is going to have to be a total capitulation for the Americans
to sail away now after they have put all that fire power in place,
isn't it?
PRIME MINISTER
What is involved here is, first and foremost, an endeavour to settle
it peacefully by diplomatic means. Nobody wants a military strike.
President Clinton said to me this afternoon on the phone that he
does not want....
LYNEHAM:
Even with three carrier battle groups in place?
PRIME MINISTER
People don't like resorting to military force. I didn't
find it easy to take the decision that was taken this morning, no
Australian Prime Minister would.
LYNEHAM:
Now the Americans don't really need Australia's help,
do they? This is all about us showing that we are standing with
Uncle Sam, isn't it?
PRIME MINISTER
It is more than that. The most important thing is that it is a
combined demonstration of a number of countries that people who
imagine that they can stockpile and potentially use of weapons of
mass destruction are going to be denied that capacity by the rest
of the world. So it is not just a demonstration of our bonafides
with the United States.
LYNEHAM:
But it is partly that, isn't it?
PRIME MINISTER
The two reasons why we took the decision, are first and foremost
as a demonstration to Saddam Hussein. And secondly, and very importantly,
to defend the authority and the position of the United Nations.
Because the inspections that Saddam refuses to have are being carried
out under United Nations resolutions.
LYNEHAM:
But Prime Minister, Indonesia, Israel have been flouting UN resolutions
for years and we are not going to send the SAS in against them?
PRIME MINISTER
But they are not threatening or have the capacity to deliver weapons
of mass destruction against their neighbours.
LYNEHAM:
In Washington some are saying this is the time to wipe Saddam Hussein
out once and for all, good idea?
PRIME MINISTER
The purpose of this exercise is to enforce the United Nations resolutions,
that is the purpose of it.
LYNEHAM:
But given that this military action is contemplated precisely because
the Americans don't know exactly what he has got and where
it is, how can any strike be in any way precise?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well I wouldn't necessarily agree with the basis of that question.
I think the American intelligence is a lot better than that.
LYNEHAM:
On the ground in Baghdad?
PRIME MINISTER:
The American intelligence is quite good.
LYNEHAM:
So you don't think there is a real risk of major civilian
casualties? Those horror pictures on the news?
PRIME MINISTER:
Nobody can rule that out. And I want to say at the outset that
I am not pretending that this will be pleasant, it won't if
it happens and anybody who pretends that is being dishonest. But
what alternative is there.
LYNEHAM:
But unless you flatten Baghdad and the surrounding regions he will
just pick himself up again as he did after Desert Storm?
PRIME MINISTER
That is not the advice that we have.
LYNEHAM:
How could it be otherwise?
PRIME MINISTER
Well the advice is that there is a capacity for these strikes to
be quite effective in relation to the material that we are concerned
about.
LYNEHAM:
And no danger that with his back to the wall he may actually say,
well let us use them then?
PRIME MINISTER
Well we don't believe so. We have taken a decision on the
basis of intelligence and military advice, and not only from our
own sources, which are very good, but also from the United States.
LYNEHAM:
And the fact that other countries like France, like Russia, like
China, Saudi Arabia don't want to go along doesn't concern
you?
PRIME MINISTER
Well you haven't heard the last from those countries, you
haven't. And I am very confident that as the days go by there
will be support added to the United States-led effort.
LYNEHAM:
And the claim that this has been allowed to drift along for years
but is now being accelerated by President Clinton because of Monica
Lewinsky?
PRIME MINISTER
I don't believe that. I can understand why some people say
it, but I don't believe it. I have looked at the merits of
it, and the whole Cabinet looked at the merits of it, and the fact
is that attempts have been made by the United Nations inspection
teams to secure compliance over weeks and they have been rejected.
Now I just don't accept it.
LYNEHAM:
And do you have any fears in your heart this could go terribly
wrong some how?
PRIME MINISTER
You always have fears and worries. It is the hardest decision I
have taken. It does involve risk to young Australian lives if there
is a military operation, I understand that. I think the people involved
understand that and our thoughts and prayers are very much with
them if that ultimately turns out to be the case.
LYNEHAM:
Prime Minister thanks for your time.
PRIME MINISTER
Thank you.
[Ends]