Apart from who said what at the UN sometime over the last 12 years let me just try and put a little perspective on Australia's place in the world for you people in North America.
We currently have a population of somwhere around 17 million - or less. Australia is less than 2 hours flying time from the worlds biggest single Muslim nation where there are over 200 million people. Indonesia's army is bigger than all our three services put together and multiplied several times over
Now you know why we tend to speak softly on matters that involve the Muslim world.
However, it doesn't mean that we are cowards. In the early days of the UN involvement in East Timor a couple of thousand poorly equipped but highly trained and dedicated Australian diggers faced down the Indonesian army.
That is something that the Indonesian nation holds against us - we made them lose face and they will try and repay that debt sometime in the next few years.
Even back in the 80's when I was in the Army we were being trained then to be prepared for when the Indonesian Army came over the hill. It's a whole lot closer now than it was then.
When it does happen I wonder if the US will stand as closely with us as we are standing with you guys right now.
Last edited by The Other Steve at Feb 28 2003, 12:04 AM
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