Kerry campaign seeks fewer allies in Iraq

John Kerry has often berated President Bush for a supposed failure of diplomacy, a perceived inability to persuade more nations to participate in America's efforts to stabilize Iraq. Now, in another apparent flip-flop, the Kerry campaign seems to be criticizing Australia for assisting America in Iraq.

Diana Kerry, younger sister of the Democrat presidential candidate, told The Weekend Australian that the Bali bombing and the recent attack on the Australian embassy in Jakarta clearly showed the danger to Australians had increased.

"Australia has kept faith with the US and we are endangering the Australians now by this wanton disregard for international law and multilateral channels," she said, referring to the invasion of Iraq.

Ms Kerry, who taught school in Indonesia for 15 years until 2000, is heading a campaign called Americans Overseas for Kerry which aims to secure the votes of Americans abroad -- including the more than 100,000 living in Australia.