MALCOLM FRASER CRITICAL OF BUSH ADMINISTRATION

Former Prime Minister of Australia Mr. Malcolm Fraser voiced today his disagreement with U.S. policies proposed by the incoming Bush administration. Referring to a statement by the new Secretary of State Mr. Colin Powell, that Australia should play a significant role in the U.S.-Indonesian relations, Mr. Fraser is quoted as saying: 'We are not an American deputy'. Bilateral relations between Australia and Indonesia suffered a severe setback after the 1999 Australian military intervention in East Timor. Australian Army units are still stationed in Timor, this time nominally under a United Nations command.

Henry L. Marconi Pravda.Ru Sydney, Australia