What Australian newspapers say Monday, February 17

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What Australian newspapers say Monday, February 17

SYDNEY, Feb 17 AAP - The massive demonstrations in capital cities at the weekend willnot reverse the Howard government's commitment to war against Iraq, The Sydney MorningHerald says in its editorial today.

But the powerful opposition to war must give Prime minister John Howard pause; it wasa powerful political statement for peace, against war and against the Government's commitmentto war, the newspaper says.

"The demonstrations at the weekend in the US, Britain and Australia might not movethe governments of the three nations most committed to war.

"Undoubtedly, however, they express a mood which transcends the domestic politics ineach of those countries and which genuinely reflects a new internationalism in politics."

The Courier-Mail says Mr Howard must be uncomfortable with the sight of hundreds ofthousands of Australian protesters.

Mr Howard insists the rallies are not an accurate measure of public opinion, and thathis tough stance against Iraq is the right position. Yet the sheer size of the demonstrationsare all the proof he needs that his position is a lonely one.

Mr Howard's job is to convince Australians, even at this stage, he remains committedto avoiding war, the newspaper says.

The Herald Sun says a million calls for any kind of peace will not end the threat fromSaddam Hussein.

The millions of protesters worldwide might consider the sure fate of any such anti-governmentprotest in Iraq, the newspaper says.

"Saddam is a murderous despot whose ambitions have long been clear. Left armed andunchecked, he will remain a menace to the Middle East, world security and to his own downtroddenpeople.

"War with Iraq, if it comes, will only come because it is the lesser of evils."

The Australian Financial Review says UN chief weapons inspector Hans Blix's latestprogress report has driven the Security Council's factions further apart.

The sharp divide has greatly complicated life for Mr Howard, it says. The prospectsfor a clear-cut security council resolution endorsing an attack -- which most Australiansdemand before they support war -- have receded.

It is not in the interests of global security to prolong the issue of Iraqi disarmamentwhile a new crisis looms in North Korea, the newspaper says.

Dr Blix should confront the issues squarely's in his next report due on March 1 sothe council can weigh the evidence and decide.

The Age says the second Blix report means the council must make it clear time is fastrunning out for Mr Hussein to disarm.

In practical terms, this means the decision on whether to put its implied threat of"serious consequences" into effect must now be weeks, not months, away.

"Above all else, what the world needs now is a united security council that sets astrict limit on the time Iraq has to disarm. This represents the best hope of avoidingwar."

The Daily Telegraph says for 12 years Iraq has ignore UN demands to disarm, underminingthe world body's authority and international standing.

"The UN has to enforce its resolutions against Iraq to ensure other rogue nations donot flout international demands for disarmament and human rights."

The Australian says there is no easy answer to the crisis, but the best solution requiresthe council to convince Saddam it will enforce Resolution 1441 if he does not disarm toDr Blix's satisfaction.

The world's best hope for peace is a UN deadline requiring Saddam to disarm by a non-negotiableand imminent date so Dr Blix can report that Iraq is no longer in breach -- with thereal risk of war if he does not disarm.

The Canberra Times says Mr Howard has made no effort to lobby, listen to, or join inEuropean attempts to ger solutions short of war.

"The public opinion that is against him can neither be dismissed as the chatteringof the timid or the predictable responses of the student and labour movements...

"It is hard to see war as politically good for him as it is to see it as the rightthing to do, regardless of its unpopularity."

The Advertiser says metropolitan Adelaide's public transport network is again underattack for failing to deliver in areas where it is needed most.

One of the state's fastest-growing regions is among the most poorly serviced by publicbuses, its investigations reveal.

"Night time services to the southern suburbs are few and far between and residentsof Willunga, McLaren Vale and Aldinga have little choice but to drive their own vehicleinto the city each day."

The draft review of public transport should address these issues, it says.

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KEYWORD: EDITORIALS