[southnews] Aussie PM summoned by Bush on Iran
Dave Muller
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http://us.click.yahoo.com/_7bhrC/NGxNAA/yQLSAA/7gSolB/TM
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... Mr Howard's visit to the US capital, which begins this weekend. A
senior Bush administration official, Christopher Hill, said the growing
crisis over Iran's pursuit of nuclear technology was reaching a "crunch
point" and was likely to dominate next week's formal talks...
Bush rewards Howard's terror stance
By Steve Lewis and Geoff Elliott
May 08, 2006
JOHN Howard will next week join the elite few to be honoured with a
state dinner by President George W. Bush, a dividend for his unswerving
support for Washington's campaign against terror and the war in Iraq.
Mr Bush, who notoriously dislikes the formality of black-tie events, has
previously hosted just seven similar events at the White House during
his five-and-a-half year tenure.
Even the Chinese President, Hu Jintao, was unsuccessful when he sought a
similar invitation during his visit to Washington three weeks ago.
The lavish event, a feature of the Prime Minister's five-day visit to
the US capital, underscores the close bonds that have been forged
between the two leaders since the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US.
Apart from the clinking of wine glasses, the thorny issue of Iran's
nuclear build-up will feature prominently during Mr Howard's visit to
the US capital, which begins this weekend.
A senior Bush administration official, Christopher Hill, said the
growing crisis over Iran's pursuit of nuclear technology was reaching a
"crunch point" and was likely to dominate next week's formal talks.
The worsening arc of instability around the Pacific will also feature
prominently in talks between Mr Howard and senior US political figures.
Despite signalling to senior diplomats in Canberra just a few months ago
that he planned to scale back his overseas travel, Mr Howard will also
visit Canada and Ireland during a whirlwind two-week trip. He leaves on
Friday, just three days after Peter Costello delivers his 11th budget -
a change from the usual joint effort in selling the Government's main
economic statement.
In Ottawa, Mr Howard will address the Canadian parliament and meet
conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper before flying to Dublin where
he will also address the Irish parliament.
Mr Hill, the assistant secretary for Asia-Pacific at the State
Department and the US envoy on the six-party talks on North Korea, said
Mr Howard's visit came as the world's attention was now squarely on Iran.
"Obviously there will be a discussion over Iran because obviously we're
getting to crunch time," Mr Hill said in an interview, adding that the
"Iran problem is taking on a global dimension".
Mr Hill did not rule out the US asking for Australia's help in Iran. Mr
Bush has made a point of leaving a military option on the table when it
comes to stopping Iran's determination to enrich uranium.
Tehran says it is only interested in developing a nuclear-power
industry, while the Bush administration believes President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad is determined to arm the country with nuclear weapons.
Mr Hill said: "We have a long way to go before we play out the
diplomatic process.
"I don't think we are asking for specific things from Australia at this
point. Australia is not on the Security Council (but) we like to consult
our closest allies."
The 15-member UN Security Council continues to negotiate over the next
step on Iran as Russia and China stick to their demands for major
changes to a draft resolution that would legally oblige Iran to halt
uranium enrichment.
The council is to meet again today in the hope that an acceptable draft
could be put to a vote next week.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,19061204-401,00.html
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