You've got a friend, Downer tells US

The Australian ^ | December 13, 2006 | Peter Mitchell

[Dundee]

US President George W. Bush received a strong show of support from Australia today when Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer declared, "we stick by our mates through thick and thin".

Mr Downer reaffirmed Australia's troop commitment in Iraq and also rejected calls for an early US withdrawal.

...

During a press conference in the State Department's lavish Benjamin Franklin Room, Mr Downer added some Australian slang to reaffirm Australia would not scale back its support for the US in Iraq or follow public opinion on the issue.

It appeared to confuse Dr Rice, who smiled while she listened.

"We are Australians and, basically, with our mates we don't go around bagging them for the convenience of headlines and being cheapskate popular politicians," Mr Downer said.

"No we don't do that.

"We stick by our mates through thick and thin and I think when times are difficult, you look to your friends to see if they are really friends.

"The one thing I don't think Americans will ever find is that Australians are weak, fair-weather friends."

[Dundee]

Australia: antonym of France.

[sageb1]

Thank you, Mr. Downer!

[Rastus]

Thank you, guys. We are proud to call you our allies and friends.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Right back at you, Mr. Downer!

[oyez]

Inside each Australian there is an American trying to get out.

[taxesareforever]

Take that Kerry, Pelosi, Murtha and who that new guy on intelligence that doesn't have a clue.

[Lokibob]

and inside each American is an Australian trying to get out.

[brushcop]

"...cheapskate popular politicians,"

That's music to my ears. Why does it take an Aussie to speak for real Americans? Where is our leadership, besides Pres. Bush of course. Sometimes I wonder about Rice also. Does she "get it"?

[Always Independent]

Disagree, that would be snobbish. Let them be Australians and respected. And be welcome here anytime and know that they can count on us whenever they need us. Don't want to see anyone hurt a Roo!

[oyez]

I didn't mean to be disrespectful. I'm certainly pleased to see another nation that sees things for they really are.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Australia. It's what Britain wishes it were ; )

[Dundee]

Australia. It's what Britain wishes it were ; )

I think it's more of a case of Australia being where a lot of Brits wish they were...

[jazusamo]

Australia has always been a strong ally and right now a stronger one than our own looney left liberals in this war on terror.

[Liberty Valance]

I really hate MSM headlines and the idiots that write them. They almost always manage to be totally irrelevant to the actual story they so ineptly title.

[jagrmeister]

Its nice to know that someone else out there understands our need to fight for our own security.

[naturalman1975]

And be welcome here anytime and know that they can count on us whenever they need us.

Believe me, we know who we can count on if we need them. One of the most recent examples was the US lending us the use of transport aircraft and crews when we suddenly needed to move troops quickly from the Solomons to East Timor. We could have done it alone, but US support made it a lot quicker, and to an extent, that may even be a clearer example of us knowing the US is there if ask for help - because providing major support to an ally who could use a hand, is a different type of message than giving support because it's absolutely essential.

But sometimes it is essential, and there's plenty of Australians who are aware that American sacrifices a little over six decades ago, are the reason these banknotes were never issued.

[garylmoore]

"we stick by our mates through thick and thin".

Now there is a country who knows who Top Dog is and always will be.

[melsec]

Australia. It's what Britain wishes it were ; ) LOL I really like that one

[mitch5501]

Spot on!

[jmaroneps37]

A friend indeed, as always.