On September 14, as part of a motion of condolence in the federal Parliament to the U.S. government, Howard gained support from Labor to invoke the ANZUS military pact formally for the first time ever. ANZUS was drawn up between the imperialist powers of Australia, New Zealand, and the United States in the midst of their brutal war drive against the Korean people 50 years ago.

In keeping with Australia's history as a militarily aggressive, junior imperialist power, Howard went further than any other government, immediately pledging military involvement "to the limit of our capability," and citing Clause 4 of the ANZUS treaty on acting "to meet the common danger."

Canberra has said it is prepared to contribute a warship to a "multi-flag armada" and to send a battalion of ground troops under U.S. command. Since 1991 Australian warships have been deployed in the Arab-Persian Gulf to jointly police the imperialist embargo on Iraq begun during the Gulf War. At Washington's request, Canberra announced September 16 that HMAS Anzac's tour of duty in the Gulf would be extended.

Anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiments have been fanned by prowar hysteria in the media, especially talkback radio. Incidents of racist abuse, threats, and physical assaults have erupted. In Brisbane a school bus carrying Muslim children was pelted with rocks and bottles on September 12. The next night two Molotov cocktails were thrown at a mosque. An Islamic school in Adelaide has had to close because of threats. In a case of mistaken identity, an Orthodox church in Sydney frequented by Lebanese Christians has been defaced with swastikas and racist threats to "avenge America."

Ron Poulsen is a member of the Maritime Union of Australia.  
 
 
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