Fed: Australia's position on Iraq unaltered - Downer

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Fed: Australia's position on Iraq unaltered - Downer

Australia's position on a United States-led attack on Iraq remains unaltered despiteUS vice-president DICK CHENEY'S talk of the need for pre-emptive military action.

But Foreign Minister ALEXANDER DOWNER says it's important to keep the pressure on IraqiPresident SADDAM HUSSEIN.

Mr DOWNER says Australia has no plans to join the US in an attack on Iraq, but thegovernment will consider such action if the US requests Australian involvement.

He says Australia hasn't changed its stance since Mr CHENEY this week warned in a speechto military veterans the US and its allies can't afford to ignore the threat posed bythe Iraqi dictator's regime.

He says Australia's concern with Iraq doesn't have to do with its history of dictatorshipbut with the fact that it's refused to allow UN weapons inspectors into the country since1998.

AAP RTV sm/daw/dl/jas

KEYWORD: IRAQ US AUST (CANBERRA)