1. E. Timor: A Delicate Balance in a Young, Divided Nation
2. Indonesia Spying on Papuans: Greens
3. Going to War: Penetrating the Veil on Iraq
4. More than 1,000 Brits Have Deserted Iraq War
5. Climate Body Finds U.S. Well is Dry

1. A Delicate Balance in a Young, Divided Nation, Mark Forbes, SMH, 2006-05-29

   Pressures mount for retribution and frustration at the failure of Australian forces to deliver an immediate peace. Amid talk of an adequate force, and Australia inheriting responsibility for the outcome – despite what the politicians say – it is worth remembering that, even with more than 20,000 troops, the Indonesians could never control East Timor.

   • Update – ADF Contribution to Operation Astute, Defence Department Media Release 2006-05-28

   • Australia Could Have Taken Earlier Action to Avert Crisis, Hamish McDonald, Age, 2006-05-27

   • Marxist Leaders Have Failed, Mark Aarons, Australian, 2006-05-29

      

2. Indonesia Spying on Papuans: Greens, Sarah Smiles, Age, 2006-05-26

   Director General of ASIO Paul O’Sullivan evaded questions about alleged Indonesian espionage raised by Greens senator Kerry Nettle. Senator Nettle claimed that Indonesian security officials have filmed and photographed activists at pro-West Papuan demonstrations in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Greens leader Bob Brown had given documentation to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, she said.

    

3. Going to War: Penetrating the Veil on Iraq, Garry Woodard, MUP, 2006 [PDF]

   The comparison between Iraq and Vietnam is enlightening, as it points to a conservative mindset of astonishing durability in this country. There is no evidence of learning from the history of the similarities between Australia’s decisions on Vietnam, which led to disaster, and on Iraq, which promises to end not necessarily to our advantage.

    

4. More than 1,000 Brits Have Deserted Iraq War: Report, ABC Online, 2006-05-28

   More than 1,000 members of the British military have deserted the armed forces since the start of the Iraq war three years ago. Figures from the Ministry of Defence show some soldiers were subsequently arrested, but about 900 have evaded capture. Labour MP John MacDonald told parliament this week there had been a tripling in cases over the past three years.

    

5. Climate Body Finds US Well is Dry, Angus Grigg, AFR*, 2005-05-29

   Prime Minister John Howard’s grand climate change partnership, the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (AP6) is in danger of failing after the US House of Representatives blocked the entire $US46 million in funding committed by President George Bush.
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