Rudd

RNZ reports National saying the new Aussie PM will not be focused on NZ. That's the message directly from Rudd himself in two separate speeches where he didn't mention NZ, but mentioned everyone else. It is hard to think it could be worse than some of the unilateral or reneging that has gone on in the past. Rudd's first real hurdle is how to get their troops out of Iraq without damaging the US relationship.

The first priority is ratifying Kyoto not Iraq:
But while he intends to immediately overturn Howard's opposition to the Kyoto pact, Rudd has said he would negotiate a gradual withdrawal of Australian frontline forces from Iraq.

Gradual. Hopefully he can get them out without a single Australian death - like the NZ govt. getting our "Engineers" out without a fatality to remind the nation of the co-operation with the US over Iraq.

I've just heard Clark say (on a TV One News item) that Rudd will withdraw Aussie troops from Iraq and that "of course we were never there". The re-writing of history begins. Yes NZ troops/"Engineers" were sent there and ended up guarding British bases - they were there alright.