Australian Labor Party rejects Iraq action without UN by Australian Broadcasting Corporation 6:00pm 15th Jan, 2003   15th Jan 2003    The Australian Labor Party has all but ruled out support for military action against Iraq without the backing of the United Nations.    Australian Labor leader Simon Crean appears to have hardened his position on Iraq, just a week after ALP powerbroker Laurie Brereton accused his party of failing to set out a clear position on the matter.    "We'll support the United Nations but we won't support US-led unilateral action," he said.    Mr Crean says that would include opposing any Australian technical and intelligence support for a US-led strike on Iraq.    But there is still one condition on that.    Mr Crean says Labor might back unilateral action, if the United Nations support is blocked by a single country using its veto against the weight of international opinion.    Western Australian MP Carmen Lawrence, who quit the frontbench last year over policy differences, has applauded the new stance.    She says many people will welcome the stronger position.    "A lot of people in Australia are totally against this war and I'm pleased that Simon has been listening to them," she said.    Protest    Dr Lawrence has failed in an attempt to board the world's biggest warship, anchored off the coast of Perth.    The member for Fremantle and state Greens member Jim Scott both say they oppose any Australian involvement in a war against Iraq and want to board the USS Abraham Lincoln to examine the weapons on board.    Dr Lawrence and about 30 protesters on three boats were shadowed by police and Department of Transport vessels. They failed to breach a 400-metre exclusion zone around the warship. Visit the related web page
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