AUSTRALIA: A bill from the US

Given US generosity in giving arms and aid to many of its allies, this comes as a surprise (Reuters, 5/30/03): Australia gets bill for US bombs it used: A month after President George Bush declared victory in the war on Iraq, staunch US ally Australia is getting the bill for the US bombs its warplanes dropped to help the American-led advance towards Baghdad. The Australian Defence Force said it was routine for the Australian armed forces to pay for munitions acquired from the US, no matter the conflict or exercise. "Whenever Australia undertakes military activities at home or abroad, it pays its own way," a spokesman said. The size of the bill was not currently available", he said, but using weapons from the US stockpile in the Gulf was more efficient than shipping munitions all the way from Australia. Local newspapers said the bill could amount to millions of Australian dollars. Australian F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets, part of a 2'000-strong force Canberra sent to join the Iraq invasion, dropped expensive laser-guided US munitions on numerous targets during the three-week war.

RH: The bill was presented just after Prime Minister John Howard was effusively received by President Bush, who, a little later, effusively received President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and gave her millions of dollars. I suppose it makes sense. I do not understand international wheeling and dealing.

Ronald Hilton - 6/3/03