Fed: Signatories are doddering diplomats - Nationals MP

AAP General News (Australia)
08-09-2004
Fed: Signatories are doddering diplomats - Nationals MP

A Nationals MP has described senior former defence chiefs and public servants who signed
a letter criticising the federal government over the Iraq war as a bunch of doddering,
daiquiri diplomats.

The statement calls for more honesty in government and says Australia joined the war
on Iraq on the basis of false assumptions and deceptions.

North Queensland MP DE-ANNE KELLY'S told reporters the government honestly assessed
the intelligence that was at hand in the lead-up to the Iraq war.

And she says the 43 signatories should keep their opinions to themselves.

Queensland Liberal MP ALEX SOMLYAY says the signatories' credibility is in question
because they didn't express their concerns when Australia first went to war with Iraq.

AAP RTV dep/drp/jmt

KEYWORD: STATEMENT MPS (CANBERRA)

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