Fed: Govt downplaying civilian casualties in Iraq: ALP
The government has been accused of downplaying the chances of civilian casualties ina war against Iraq.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman KEVIN RUDD says Foreign Affairs Minister ALEXANDERDOWNER is ignoring strong evidence from the United Nations that war in Iraq will havea catastrophic impact on civilians.
Mr DOWNER has said any war against Iraq won't involve carpet bombing which would posea significant threat to civilians.
But Mr RUDD says the UN estimates a war would have up to 100,000 civilian casualtiesand displace up 7.2 million people.
Meanwhile, Labor continues to be under pressure over the verbal attack by MARK LATHAMagainst President GEORGE W BUSH.
Opposition Leader SIMON CREAN says the party must be careful in its use of languagewhen talking about the Iraq issue.
And he says his support for the Australia-US alliance is unshakable.
In the US, Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD will meet US president GEORGE BUSH tomorrow tourge support for a second UN resolution against Iraq.
AAP RTV sw/jtb
KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST (CANBERRA)
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