Australian Dems want cost of Rumsfeld visit

[cal04]

THE Australian Democrats want the South Australian Government to release the cost of this week's visit to Adelaide by US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. With a massive security operation in place, involving up to 500 police, and barriers blocking off areas of the city, Democrat MP Sandra Kanck said the Government should reveal how many hospital operations could have been performed for the cost of the visit.

Mr Rumsfeld's presence in Adelaide for ministerial talks between
the US and Australian governments was a dubious pleasure, she said. "(Foreign Minister) Alexander Downer may think most South Australians are pleased to have Rumsfeld turning their city into a locked down zone, but he moves in terribly small circles," Ms Kanck said. "Many people I have spoken to are plain annoyed that our money is being used to enable Donald Rumsfeld to experience Adelaide in a glass bubble."

Mr Downer said he appreciated the visit was causing some disruption and inconvenience for the public. "But on the other hand it's a great opportunity to showcase this most wonderful of cities to leaders from around the world," he said. After his arrival in Adelaide yesterday Mr Rumsfeld visited the South Australian Museum for a tour of the indigenous cultures gallery and later played squash at a local fitness centre. His visit to SA also drew about 500 protesters to Adelaide's parliament house yesterday afternoon.

Today Mr Rumsfeld will spend most of his day at the Adelaide Town Hall where he and Assistant Secretary of State Bob Zoellick will meet Mr Downer and Defence Minister Robert Hill.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17285049%255E1702,00.html

[Cha]

1. Good for the Austrailian Dems!

I'd want some accountability if that creep came to my country and they had to spend precious money on his security when he doesn't give a shite about our Soldiers in Iraq.

[cliss]

2. I love the title of this story.

"Rumsfeld the Liability". Now I wish they would say it to his face: Rumsfeld, we can't afford you. You're too damn costly for us."

Out of the whole bunch, this is the one I detest the most.

[rainbow4321]

3. Security mix up during Rumsfeld's visit to Australia

http://channels.netscape.com/news/story.jsp?id=2005111719557000000003&dt=20051117195500&w=AFP&coview=

Yellow business envelopes containing a six-page itinerary for Rumsfeld's high-security visit were placed under guests' hotel doors early Thursday, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Three floors of the Hyatt hotel have been given over to Rumsfeld and his entourage and guests staying on these levels received the envelopes marked "United States of America, Official Business".

One guest said he was "astonished" to receive the document, which included the names and room numbers for the Defense Secretary and his staff as well as the mobile phone numbers, names and titles of a large number of operational staff.

Guests were later told that the envelopes had been issued by mistake and would be collected if they pushed them back under the doors.

[Demeter]

4. So Arrest Rumsfeld On War Crime Charges

We'll get together a bounty to pay for it.

[Matilda]

5. I heard Downer earlier this week on radio saying what an honour it was

to be visited by people of the standing of Rumsfeld.

Ridiculous twit.

[Judi Lynn]

6. How embarrassing! It shows how low we've all sunk.