More fallout from the Zapatero and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appeasements. From AP, with thanks to Nicolei:
Prime Minister John Howard’s government warned that Australia could become a terrorist target during a six-week election campaign that began Monday, with the war on terror and the nation’s troop deployment in Iraq already taking center stage.
Treasurer Peter Costello said Australia should be alert for attacks in the lead up to the Oct. 9 election since Islamic militants detonated bombs in Madrid that killed 191 people in March. Several days later voters elected Spain’s Socialists, who opposed the war and occupation of Iraq. Many said the conservative government’s support for the war made Spain a target for al-Qaida.
“In Spain during an election there was a terrorist incident, so we have to be careful in Australia,” he told Melbourne radio station 3AW on Monday – the first full day of campaigning.
The Madrid bombings were believed aimed at influencing the Spanish vote days later. Socialists won the election and made good on their pledge to pull Spanish troops out of Iraq.
Costello warned terrorists that they could not sway Australian voters with such an attack.
“Any terrorists should understand this point, if they think some kind of attack on Australians is going to change Australian policy, they’re wrong, dead wrong,” he said, adding later that he was not referring to any specific information of a threat.