As Expected: Bush Heckled by Aussies

From Reuters (snippets):

Bush Heckled in Australia as Defends Iraq War Thu October 23, 2003 12:07 PM ET - By Belinda Goldsmith CANBERRA (Reuters) - Heckled inside and outside Australia's parliament, President Bush Thursday defended the invasion of Iraq during a symbolic visit to thank Australia for its staunch support in the war on terror. Bush, wrapping up a six-nation Asian tour focused on security and trade, said the allies who had fought alongside each other in two world wars and Vietnam had a "special responsibility throughout the Pacific" to help keep peace. "In the war on terror, once again, we are at each other's side," Bush said, recalling the nightclub bombings in Bali last October that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians. He told a special joint sitting of parliament in Canberra the war in Iraq was justified, but "with decisive victories behind us, we still have decisive days ahead." "America, Australia and other nations acted in Iraq to remove a grave and gathering danger, instead of wishing and waiting while tragedy drew closer," Bush said. "Who can possibly think that the world would be better off with Saddam Hussein still in power?" The U.S. president was on a whirlwind visit to Australia to reward conservative Prime Minister John Howard, whom he dubbed "a man of steel" for sending troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, despite public protests. His 20-hour visit triggered a massive security operation in the usually sleepy capital with armed air force jets escorting Bush into Canberra late Wednesday night and patrolling the city's skies until he flew out Thursday evening. Authorities took the unprecedented step of barring the public from the parliament where Bush spoke Thursday, backing a special security role for Australia in the Asia-Pacific region that has raised concerns among Asian neighbors. ...... But his tagging of Australia as a regional "sheriff" and staunch defense of the Iraq war angered left-leaning Green politicians whose heckling twice stopped the president's speech. "We are not a sheriff," shouted Greens leader Bob Brown who ignored an order to leave the house. The heckling did not rattle Bush, who is on his first trip to Australia. The last U.S. president to visit Australia was Bill Clinton in 1996 -- who was also heckled by Brown. "I love free speech," quipped Bush, to cheers from the house, having been warned he could face politicians' protests. ......