I forgot to append this gem from Keating. That man could tell it like it was...
Keating hits out at 'dumb' US comments Former prime minister Paul Keating says comments by the US administration about Labor's Iraq policy are an unwarranted intervention in Australian domestic politics.
A senior US official says Labor MPs are split over a policy aiming to bring the troops home by Christmas.
US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage says after recent meetings with Labor MPs in Washington it is clear the ALP is split over its commitment to remove Australian troops from Iraq by Christmas.
Mr Keating says the comments by Mr Armitage are unwarranted.
"Beating up on friendly foreign political parties is not only unsightly, it's dumb and counterproductive in the longer term," Mr Keating said in a statement.
He said Labor "will not be thugged by US officials".
And Labor leader Mark Latham says Mr Armitage is incorrect and he wants the United States to stay out of Australia's domestic affairs.
"I'd ask these commentators overseas to respect Australia democratic processes just as we respect theirs," he said.
The Coalition says Labor is saying one thing to the Americans and another to the Australian people.
