Howard doesn't have a policy on Israel, Keith. We do what America does.

bernie

let's be fair, neither does the Labor mob...whoever is their leader.

Australia's foreign policy is focussed on maintaining full loyalty in following USA's foreign policies. This is because Australia feel insecure as a low-population white country on the edge of Asia which contains billions of colored people, so Australians think being loyal to USA is a necessary insurance policy in case of threat from some Asian country.

On the Pacific Islands, Australia maintains a very outdated racist colonial mentality where Australia wants to be the "big brother" to the little Pacific children who are incapable to be independent states. The reason for Australian interest, is because USA has sub-contracted this area to Australia and New Zealand. Any instability in this area would make Australia look bad in front of its boss Uncle Sam.

Both of these foreign policy outlooks are not based on reality. The fact is, there is not a cloud of threat facing Australia from any direction. No Asian country, not even Japan during World War II, ever have plans to "invade" Australia. What benefit would any Asian country gain by invading Australia?

In abscence of any threat, there is no credible reason for Australia to be a loyal American stooge for the sake of security insurance. In fact, following every blunderous decisions made by different American presidents such ad George Bush only endanger Australia by creating unnecessary enemies.

As for the neo-colonialist approach with the Pacific Islands, Australia should realise that these countries have little left except for their pride and self-respect. They are not going to sacrifice their pride to surrender to Australia's bullying tactics. We can see that Australian programs in PNG, East Timor, and Solomon Islands are failing because the locals are extremely resentful of Australians.

With the ALP on the same witch hunt against David Hicks as is the Howard Government, where is there a change to look forward to? There is none for they both are only too willing to make their own people the political prisoners needed for electoral point scoring to impress a stupid electorate.

Howard is refusing to go into Fiji so I guess there is little resources to take from them. It is of my view that Fiji should be left alone without any trade or any other sanctions against them.

The Fijian military has never oppressed their own people but removed governments who allow foreign powers and business from destroying the Fijian natives.

Even inside Australia, an abuse against Australian's is so common as the government oppresses their fellow people the right to be as we were so that Communist China likes us.

Enough of these traitors!