Letter to the editor, The Australian, 26/9/2002

Sir,

WE, the undersigned, are former Governor-General, Prime Ministers, Leader of the Opposition, Chiefs of the Defence Force and other holders of senior military office, including the current President of the Returned and Services League of Australia.

¶ We either represented opposing sides of politics or were appointed to our positions by governments of differing persuasions.

¶ We would hold varying views on many issues in the public arena but we join in writing this letter because we share a deeply held conviction on a matter which we believe is of the most profound importance.

¶ We put this conviction directly and unequivocally: it would constitute a failure of the duty of government to protect the integrity and ensure the security of our nation to commit any Australian forces in support of a United States military offensive against Iraq without the backing of a specific United Nations Security Council resolution.

¶ Former Governor-General

¶ Bill Hayden AC 1989-1996

¶ Former Prime Ministers

¶ The Hon E.G. Whitlam AC QC 1972-75

¶ The Rt Hon J.M. Fraser AC 1975-1983

¶ The Hon R.J. Hawke AC 1983-1991

¶ Former Leader of the Opposition

¶ Dr John Hewson 1990-1994

¶ Defence Forces

¶ General Peter Gration AC OBE

¶ Chief of the Defence Force 1987-1993

¶ Admiral Alan Beaumont AC

¶ Chief of the Defence Force 1993-1995

¶ Admiral Mike Hudson AC

¶ Chief of the Naval Staff 1985-1991

¶ Major General Peter Phillips AO MC

¶ National President of the Returned and Services League of Australia