Published March 18th, 2003 by Jim O'Halloran
War!
In the last 24 hours things seem to have changed very quickly. On the news this morning, came the news that George Bush had called our PM asking for troops to help fight the war. Sortly thereafter, cabinet met and the likely became definate as Australia commits troops to war.
“The government has authorised the chief of the Australian Defence Force, General (Peter) Cosgrove, to place the Australian forces already deployed in the Gulf region as part of any US-led coalition operation that may take place in the future, directed in accordance with existing authority under UN resolutions to disarm Iraq,” he [John Howard]said in a statement to the press.
We were also told that George Bush would make a speach at about midday our time, and then received news that Bush gives Saddam 48 hours to go or it’s war.
“Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq in 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict to commence at a time of our choosing,” he said.
So now we have 48 hours to wait and see what happens, but war looks almost innevitable now. I have this great sense of foreboding that I didn’t have last time around. I don’t beleive it’ll be the quick campaign that the planners would like to think it will be. The Iraqi’s will put up some sort of a fight, even if its mostly around Bagdhad, but if they decided to drag it out in the manner that Jon Robb suggests is possible.