PUBLIC STATEMENTS AGAINST THE WAR BY PREVIOUS LEADERS OF THE AUSTRALAN DEFENCE FORCE

[W]e join in writing this letter because we share a deeply held conviction on a matter which we believe is of the most profound importance.

We put this conviction directly and unequivocally: it would constitute a failure of the duty of government to protect the integrity and ensure the security of our nation to commit any Australian forces in support of a United States military offensive against Iraq without the backing of a specific United Nations Security Council resolution.

(The Australian, 26 September 2002)

General Peter Gration, Chief of the ADF from 1987-1993

There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein is a brutal dictator heading an unsavoury regime that probably does possess weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and the world would be a better place if they were removed.

Nevertheless, there are insufficient grounds for war, which is unnecessary and may lead to unpredictable and potentially disastrous consequences. It is not in Australia’s interests to take part in such a war. I stress that this is not a call for inaction, since better alternatives are available.

…

[T]he real and immediate threat from Iraq’s WMD, while not zero, is much exaggerated, and is well short of providing grounds to go to war.

This unnecessary war could produce some disastrous outcomes that may worsen, rather than improve, global security. Once war starts, the outcomes may be quite unpredictable and not what is planned.

(The Age, 2 January 2003)

Major General Alan Stretton, veteran of four wars, including Vietnam, and former Deputy Director of the Joint Intelligence Bureau (retired)

Even if these US intelligence reports [alleging knowledge of where Iraqi WMD sites are located] are true, there is still no valid reason why the Australian Government should be sending young Australians to be embroiled in a war in the Middle East where the consequences and duration are unknown.

(quoted in the Courier Mail, 13 February 2003)

Air Marshall Ray Funnell, Chief of the Air Force from 1987-92

[Prime Minister Howard has] followed, almost in lock step a man who has demonstrated ... strategic stupidity. And I refer here to President Bush.

If you look back to the 12th September 2001 and the immediate aftermath of that horrific event in New York and Washington, President Bush was leading a nation that was united in a great and deserved cause and he was supported without reservations by the nations of the world and by the UN. And contrast that with today, just 18 months later, his nation is divided, most of the world is against him, alliances are crumbling, multi-national institutions that have been developed over decades are under enormous pressure and how do President Bush and his egregious Secretary of Defence react? They react by trumpeting we don't need any of you.

…

Well, I'm sorry, Mr President but you do. I mean, if you want to remain leader of the free world you have to be something more than just a military superpower and a diplomatic bully. Leadership requires more than just telling people what to do or else—but that's the way he goes about it.

(ABC radio, 14 March 2003)