Australia is at risk: ex-Bush aide

[Nambe]

ninemsn Pty Ltd

A former White House counter-terrorism adviser says the Australian election campaign is at more risk of an al-Qaeda terrorist attack than the United States presidential election.

Richard Clarke, an adviser to four presidents, said Labor leader Mark Latham's pledge to bring Australian troops home from Iraq by Christmas meant there were differences in policy between the two sides of politics which al-Qaeda could seek to exploit.

Mr Clarke said it was unlikely that al-Qaeda would attempt to influence the US election in November because it was unclear what effect a terror attack would have on voters or candidates. ..

Mr Clarke quit the White House in January last year, criticising US President George W Bush for failing to handle the terrorist threat.

Need A Hug Go To The Store!

[Kagemusha]

1. He's probably right, because the public thinks Howard

is publicly begging for this to be brought down against the nation.

[D-Notice]

3. You mean there something might happen to...

encourage the Aussies to vote for the "right person"?

[KurtNYC]

2. Let me guess, ... This means there is oil in Australia?

We better get down there quick!

[PATRICK]

4. Time to test another Bush ploy

That means, yeah, they ARE in danger.

Tesing, testing, 1-2-3- Kaboom. Spin. Win.

[2Design]

5. this is why Kerry is coming across as doing the same thing as

Bush with regards to the war......

that way once he is in...he can get us out of this illegal war...

but to state anything now....could cause the wrong chaos....by the wrong people and get Bush to stay in....

[Matilda]

6. We're certainly in greater danger of a terrorist attack thanks to Howard.

But who knows how people would react if it happens before the
election? Would people say it's better to stick with Howard
because he's tough on terrorism, or would it be a case of
thanks very much for getting us into this, goodbye.

I feel the same with Bush - could go either way.