Preemptive Strikes: Remember East Timor

With all the blather from the government regarding preemptive strikes on terrorists situated in other sovereign nations, we should remember what happened in 1999 when Timor went up in flames after the independence vote. If ever there was a time to take unilateral action, that was it. It didn't happen. Basically, Australia sat on its hands until it got clearance to move from the UN Security Council.

At the time, I can remember Downer on the radio, obviously under pressure to do something about the situation, saying in effect that to move into Timor would be the equivalent of an invasion of Indonesia.

People will argue (rightly) that the troubles in Timor weren't a direct danger to Australia, but the issue is the same; unilateral action in a foreign nation is tantamount to a declaration of war.

I suspect Howard got carried away by his mate George's rhetoric on this issue, and the subsequent US invasion of Iraq, when he first stated the government's position on the subject. He didn't twig that the US, who has a tad more military might than us, can get away with this sort of thing.

At least Downer is talking some sense on this issue:

"Of course we haven't any intention of sending troops into Indonesia without the approval of Indonesia.

"Now in the case of Indonesia, or Malaysia or Singapore or the Philippines, these are countries which are our partners in the war against terrorism.

"You would obviously work with the country involved. First of all you would do it with the co-operation of the country involved."

Apparently, the preemptive strike initiative ...

[is] aimed at countries unable or unwilling to act against an imminent terrorist threat against Australia.

So that's what the Abrams tanks are for! All we need now is a lawless Pacific atoll to invade, and a way to get them there.