NY Times: Australia’s Path Bends Away From U.S.

[marmar]

News Analysis
Australia’s Path Bends Away From U.S.


By RAYMOND BONNER
Published: November 26, 2007

LONDON, Nov. 25 — The defeat of John Howard, Australia’s prime minister, in Saturday’s election deprived President Bush of one of his most steadfast allies and will bring changes in Australia’s foreign policy that will be felt in Washington.

During recent years, Mr. Howard was unabashedly in the American corner at times when other world leaders were keeping their studied distance, and his loss is likely to be particularly acute for Mr. Bush, who puts great stock in personal relations in the conduct of foreign relations.

Mr. Howard, leader of the center-right Liberal Party, was one of the most frequent foreign visitors to the Bush White House and Texas ranch (ranking behind Tony Blair of Britain and King Abdullah II of Jordan, and tied with Ariel Sharon of Israel), according to the State Department.

Australia’s next prime minister, Kevin Rudd, said Sunday, in his first news conference since the election, that he had received a congratulatory call from President Bush, and that he would be visiting the United States early in the new year.

Under Mr. Rudd, the most notable foreign policy changes will be on the environment, nuclear issues and Iraq, said a veteran Australian diplomat, who requested anonymity because he feared that Mr. Rudd would not look kindly on a public servant speaking out on foreign policy. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/26/world/asia/26australia.html

[bemildred]

1. Mr. Howard was in Bush's corner, he was not in America's corner.

Bush has been a disaster for America, and Howard was complicit all the way.

[Skittles]

2. THANK YOU

bending away from bush, NOT America

[benld74]

3. Every country's path Bends Away From U.S, thanks to this administration