| Howard refuses Fijian request for military intervention | ||
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ABC Online/ Pacnews Tue, 5 Dec 2006 Prime Minister John Howard says he has turned down a request for military intervention from Fiji's Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. Mr Howard has confirmed a coup is under way in the Pacific nation, with the President joining military leader Frank Bainimarama in a move against the Government. Mr Howard has condemned the action as a tragic setback for democracy in Fiji. Australia will cut defence ties with Fiji if the Government is removed from power, but Mr Howard says that will not mean sending troops. "We discussed this at some length at the national security committee of Cabinet a short while ago," he said. "We took the view then and have remained steadfast in the view that it is not appropriate for military intervention. "In reality, if military action were taken now we'd be, in effect, invading the country and we have absolutely no intention of doing that." |
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Who is Lying? QARASE or HOWARD?
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For what it is worth, I think Qarase did ask for military help from Australia, but playing the devil's advocate, reading that story, it doesn't actually quote Howard saying that.
What Howard said was:
"We discussed this at some length at the national security committee of Cabinet a short while ago," he said.
"We took the view then and have remained steadfast in the view that it is not appropriate for military intervention.
"In reality, if military action were taken now we'd be, in effect, invading the country and we have absolutely no intention of doing that."
He doesn't say Fiji requested the intervention. It is in the opening of the story, but not really backed up by what is written afterwards.
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