Loose cannons

Stuck with old script

"If we're successful in Iraq . . . then we will have struck a major blow right at the heart of ... the geographic base of the terrorists who had us under assault now for many years, but most especially on 9/11." — US vice-president Dick Cheney, speaking on NBC's Meet the Press program, September 14, after being absent from public view for six months.

Whatever

"There were at least seven of these mobile labs that he [Saddam Hussein] had gone out and acquired. We've, since the war, found two of them. They're in our possession today, mobile biological facilities that can be used to produce anthrax or smallpox or whatever else." — Cheney again, referring to vehicles a CIA report admitted were used to make gas for weather balloons.

The deserts perhaps?

"In many parts of the country, things are quite secure

and stable." — US Secretary of State Colin Powell, September 16, during brief visit to Iraq.

Forgot to tell Dick

"We've had no evidence that Saddam Hussein was involved with September 11." — Emperor George Bush II, September 17.

Neo-colonialism I

"We already have some Australians in various line positions in PNG. I think we can discuss with them whether we can perhaps put more in. Not as departmental heads or anything like that, of course. We've never suggested that." — Foreign minister Alexander Downer, September 17, two days after the 28th anniversary of the ending of Australian colonial rule in Papua New Guinea.

Neo-colonialism II

"Australia aims to send in flying squads of auditors, administrators and other public sector specialists to help stabilise the PNG budget and ensure aid gets to those who most need it." — From a report in the September 19 Australian.

From Green Left Weekly, September 24, 2003.

Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

From GLW issue 555