Top Cop Slammed Over (Iraq) War Risk (Austraila)

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THE nation's police chief, Mick Keelty, has been chastised by a senior member of John Howard's staff after contradicting the government's claim that the war on Iraq has not increased the terrorist threat to Australia.

As a political storm erupted in the wake of the Madrid bombings, deep concerns emerged at senior government levels over Mr Keelty's comments, which undermine its core message following last year's invasion of Iraq.

The Australian has learned that Arthur Sinodinis, the Prime Minister's chief of staff, rang Mr Keelty on Sunday morning, just after he finished a live interview on the Nine Network's Sunday program.

Mr Keelty - publicly praised by Mr Howard yesterday - was still in the Nine studio when he received the terse call. The Prime Ministerial intervention - the disclosure of which drew an official "no comment" from Mr Howard's spokeswoman - underscores the sensitivity within government ranks about Iraq and the war on terrorism.

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8976875%255E2,00.html

Touchy aren't they?

Australia's turn. Then, come November, Dubya's turn.