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" All right now to the former prime minister says that if you think just -- so fighting the good fight in Afghanistan goes to good -- imagine the cost of not doing so happy to be joined. Almost as prime minister John Howard today in Dallas Texas where who's visiting an old friend. George Bush -- prime minister good to have you back thanks for coming. No good to see it in your discussions with the former president did the issue of sending more troops to Afghanistan come up."

" Well I haven't the same yet I have you seen it today's -- would -- but I've I've go to view. I think it winning in Afghanistan is -- pretty go to the long term. Because stage in the united sites in the west and I think it does need to be. On all the evidence not seen any increased. True commitment but it shouldn't unencumbered the United States is not Fayette. For America to tell you all of the burden they should be additional commitments them. From all of the countries including my and that have troops there are present. What we're gonna last skills sills is what is the consequence. Of fighter and Afghanistan and in that would billion enormous blow. Two American Christian agent would write me involved in the terrorist cool is him not I mean Afghanistan in the Middle East that throughout the world so that is really. What is it Stipe it's difficult on I think that we -- along time. And of course Arab tyrants always play a very long guy nine than any in. Western liberal democracies -- we -- Of troop commitments. And NightCall Fernando early call for a shortcut. And that is exactly what. -- enemies. Al-Qaeda another -- as they happen."

" The prime minister rule of the arguments for not allowing more troops in there is that we don't have a clear and game as we did with the troop surge in Iraq. That is you know I've worked very well. And even Colin Powell has been among those saying you know I I would got to go slow you Mr. President because. We don't have a clear. Sort of mission statement and and that appears to be the conundrum for the president meeting with -- Defense Secretary. As you and I statement. There is no clear end game and at the end game is you know 78910. Years as some have said. Then the American appetite for that is is is not not strong please."

" Well I understand that argument about it it seems to me that the the end guy museum in less attractive. If there's not a greater commitment. The neglect of the commitment the more likely it is that the the ending the guy -- and sooner. The right Mario I have is that we will just drift alone. I'm willing to pull out. Because that would be a very -- admission of fire area but unwilling. To my guy decisive additional commitments. Which means that we do is go on as we. And that inevitably. Will produce have come way they'll be of course. Full in in some means time. That's for the west to pull out of that will be the very result that our kind of thought of it it is very difficult I understand that. And no idea I that in these guys -- and out judge with the responsibility. Of making the decision that fight. I do have that same city we continue. As we where. General Chris Phillies sign that more forces I made it he's the man on the ground he's -- days ignited I think we run the risk. All just drifting to a situation where there is no alternative other than to give Hawaii and that will be a colossal --"

" And we stress that that -- general crystals in backwards and Petraeus of course the region commander but let me ask you prime minister. Wendell White House says will -- didn't you know in light of this we would not be pulling out would not be taken our troops out. Using -- not Eddington when the top general -- says you should be adding to them. Is sending a bad signals that I read you read that is."

" Well I think it's I think it's some. Very risky strategy to ignore. I advised of that kind from the man on the ground and did did they seem to be. Independent. Verification. That he's added treat them quite a number of sources the nonaligned. And a spike and have very strongly and I there are examples in a puff of commander in chief. Ignoring military advice and some dogs that. Decision turned out to be rademan after -- President Bush team helping for the search. Didn't -- the advice of many. Police military ES reminders that he took the advice of some and he turned out to be rotten night turned out to be wrong -- judgment coal that's why. The president of the time as the commander in chief but it does seem that every element of logic. Suggests that if you've got the man on the ground -- let's have more and then it's pretty how do we know that."

" Let me ask you one has to -- here prime minister. When you do meet with President Bush -- we have already had. Moved he's been very low key very quiet the -- virtually nothing about his successor is Vice President Dick Cheney certainly is a great deal. You would have been quite similar write your successor prime minister -- on two opposing political views and philosophies. An occasional barb here and there you are Australia -- but decides that not much you know and I I mean no offense so. Why do you think. He should know what is the role of an ex leader how long do you have to be polite."

" Well I think this stuff they provide sell or not wouldn't begin to get a former American president advise. I had a so I kind country who now. And I know I wouldn't I wouldn't dream of doing just that act except this island eat these 88 value and enormous dignity. Since he left office and -- and I'm sure that's what they appreciated in this country. Look for -- favorite my and boy you bottles they get in defense of my record if people have a -- something no idea which is wrong bios they got very very strongly. But I did tied to view that once you left office and this is especially so in a parliamentary system win. When you. I give up the leadership of my party affiliation is heightened by somebody else and divide. Keep getting a running commentary on diet and I -- to make it very for the man all the woman. His spotlight -- and I think you do. A certain Val all. All all over stride and motto right shooting what you -- about contemporary events I think you're entitled to senior is back. And site also does things in defense of the good things he did. We're nearing government and we let this writer is a very strong financial position. And and knives -- budget deficit. Nine it commonwealth did a very very strong economy so that when the financial system. They -- hit. We're a good try to do -- but I eight by ten to confine myself to. Defending the legacy and sold being generic terms of Betty she's I don't wanna become. The black who was once seen -- you cannot give out. As they thought you how things should be run that is just."

" Leave that blow you know leave that blow it alone -- I know your -- but -- minister a very quickly and on the phone or your last visit with us. This idea of the world might be revisiting. Another economic storm. That not all the numbers with some of them lately have softened again not across the board and certainly not across supporting your country but that the globe -- about -- Hit another and another sand vehement."

" Now mind seeing would still lay on the optimistic side. I IE. I certainly -- down a bit more pessimism in the United States and by doing his stride yet because I think here is slightly different sides of the cycle. And you have a bigger deficit you have higher unemployment because remain without an -- Robin -- you know I don't rubbing it in on what they shouldn't isn't going optimistic I think what people should remember that unemployment. -- but the economists call a lagging a cat in other words unemployment. Oh why he's reminds allow than it. I don't -- when you -- it was slump and some on when he coming out of a slump. It's guys hiding you think it'll audibly you know that would do it if it drags its slate so. I think you could well be having his circumstances of have some recovery beginning in the United States but it thing. A few months yet. All of all of continuing. Increases in unemployment and a while yet before. That unemployment and number turned around stuffing it down there but that's very optimistic but I think there's probably some element of truth in that."

" Prime minister. Not bad for a former -- Very good having you on. Thank you. Our prime minister John Howard."