I'm no gatecrasher, says PM (Howard invites self to Indon. inauguration!?)

[rooboy]

Prime Minister John Howard today ridiculed claims he was gatecrashing the inauguration of Indonesia's president-elect, saying heads of states were invited to the ceremony.

Mr Howard this morning flew to Jakarta amid reports that his visit had created protocol issues for Indonesia's other neighbours.

Fairfax newspapers reported that Mr Howard may have gatecrashed the event by inviting himself to the ceremony, which was not usually attended by heads of states.

Before his departure, Mr Howard told reporters that Indonesia welcomed his attendance at the inauguration of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, known as SBY.

"That stuff in the paper this morning was ridiculous," he said.

"The Indonesians made it plain that they would welcome the attendance of heads of government, ambassadors or special envoys and I thought it was appropriate that I go."

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/19/1097951677171.html

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Heads of state? So what?

Howard is not the head of state of Australia. That's still Liz, and assuming she didn't feel like turning up, it would be the Governor General who would go, or decide who would.

So why is Howard wittering on about heads of state? Is he planning a coup?

[Pert_UK]

2. Arrogant, jumped-up, conceited, petty, juvenile little twat.......

Seriously, having spent last year in Australia I couldn't believe such a little shit could be PM of such a fantastic country.

Mind you, the US and UK aren't doing too well in that respect either.

P.

[Briar]

3. They voted for him

Howard is the Aussie's premier of choice.

[Pert_UK]

4. I know....I just can't explain WHY they voted for him...

other than the fact that the opposition don't seem to offer much of an alternative.

I had SO MANY Australians apologise to me for the way he acted after the Rugby World Cup final when he clearly begrudged having to hand the England Team their medals - Aussies were ashamed about their deeply unpleasant PM, yet still voted him back in.

Maybe I was hanging out with the right people...

[rooboy]

5. Ummm.... no.

The only people who get to vote for John Howard are those people who live in the electorate of Bennelong. It is the party room that chooses John Howard as prime minister. And in his own seat, he actually had a swing against him.

He is not directly elected at all, and will probably be dumped before the next election by his own party.