Former US president Bill Clinton has warned that US interference in Australian politics could backfire following its criticism over the Labor opposition's vow to recall Australian troops from Iraq.
In an interview from London due to be broadcast by ABC television Monday, Clinton said he hoped if Labor wins the upcoming election, Australia would not withdraw its troops from Iraq now the reconstruction process had UN approval. But he acknowledged Australians did not want to be told how to vote by outsiders.
"If I were in ... the Bush position, I think it would be okay to say I hope that after this election, whoever wins, the Australians will continue to support the reconstruction of Iraq because now it's been blessed by the UN," Clinton said.
"The UN basically has the leading role here and everyone in the world, whether they supported us or not before, has a vested interest in seeing Iraq be a free, pluralistic, non-aggressive and secure (nation)
"Beyond that, I don't think we should say much because if you get too tough then for one thing you are almost intervening in another country's politics. "Secondly, it's probably going to backfire because most people don't like outsiders telling them how to vote."
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