US rebukes Latham for alliance jibe

The Bush Administration has hit back at the Labor leader, Mark Latham, saying his attacks on the state of the American alliance are "neither well informed nor well based".

In a rare rebuke of an Opposition leader, the State Department issued a critical response to Mr Latham's speech last week in which he attacked the Howard Government for its unequal and compliant role in the alliance.

After several days of debate inside the State Department over whether to react, officials decided to counter Mr Latham's claims with a formal response.

"The alliance between Australia and the United States is a partnership of equals in principle and in reality," an official told the Herald. "Characterisations to the contrary are neither well informed nor well based."

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/11/1081621839049.html

yeah right... :eyes:

The Bushies don't do partnerships unless they're on top.

G.Bush) said similar.

The USA has no greater friend than Australia and both have fought along side each other to keep the world safe.

It's a friendship that will out live the Bush government.

John Kerry will be the next US President...Mark Latham the next Australian PM:toast: