As Australia prepares for a Federal election later this year, Prime Minister John Howard is coming under increasing pressure over our involvement in the Iraqi war. Opinion polls show that the opposition Labour Party would win power on the strength of its anti-war stance. Opposition leader Mark Latham has made it clear that if he wins power, he will bring all Australian troops home from Iraq before Christmas.

John Howard justified our involvement in the war by mimicking the words of his mentor, George W Bush - Weapons of Mass Destruction and the link between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda. It was the mantra of fear spread by those who sought to convince us of their righteousness. Well, Saddam has been captured (or has he?) and it has been established that there was absolutely no link between him and the events of 911.

Yet the Coalition of the Willing still occupy Iraq. Even after June 30, the troops will still be there. Why? Our leaders tell us that we are there to assist in the rebuilding of Iraq. Righto. If we hadn’t gone in there in the first place and bombed the beejesus out of every city, then it wouldn’t need rebuilding, would it?

Mark Latham is clearly of this opinion - a view shared by the majority of Australians. Hence his vow to pull our troops out as soon as he gains power. What is very interesting here is the stir this has caused in US circles. This will probably come as a surprise to most Americans. In an unprecedented act of interference, Mark Latham has been denounced by the US Ambassador to Australia Thomas Schieffer, President George W Bush, and also by Secretary of State Colin Powell. All three have stated that an Australian withdrawal from Iraq would be disastrous for the Coalition.

Never before has the United States been so aggressively political in it’s dealings with Australia. The gloves are off. We are being bullied by our so-called ally. In a way, it makes me glad that we have such a sycophantic Prime Minister - one who is willing to be the lapdog of the US administration. Because, clearly anything short of total subservience scares the nuts off the Americans. And who needs enemies like that? They’re dangerous enough as friends.

Yet all of this rhetoric should also be deeply disturbing to Americans. If it is true that the withdrawal of Aussie troops from Iraq would cause disaster, placing the United States is in deep shit. So listen up, folks. There are only 800 Aussie troops in Iraq. Eight-hundred only. The United States has more than 130,000.

Patriot that I am, I heartily agree that those 800 are fine soldiers probably doing a great job. BUT, is the US contingent of 130,000 so dependent on them? This is the definite impression given by your President, Secretary of State, and Ambassador to Australia. Has this message been hidden from the American people, and, more importantly, the serving US personnel?

I find it highly unlikely that the Aussie troops are that critical to the outcome. So, why the lies and the huge PR backlash that this has caused? Have no doubts, this move has made the US administration absolutely hated here in Australia. Do not underestimate the harm this has done to our former cordial relationship.

Clearly someone is lying. Maybe Prime Minister Howard has totally misrepresented the extent of Australia troop involvement in Iraq. Perhaps there are far more Aussies over there. Even so, we have a very small army, nothing that could make a scratch on 130,000. This leaves two choices.

First, our troops are not that critical to the cause. This means that the United States has made an overt action of interference in, and attempted coercion of, the Australian political process.

Alternately, the Aussie troops are necessary in the war in Iraq. Your 130,000 troops will fail without the assistance of our 800? Do the math.