War for oil! Who would've believed it?

Flying a kite for the election, Australian Prime Minister John Howard backtracks on claims Iraq is about the oil, but is wrong-footed by current opinion. How will this play out?

From howardout:

clipped from howardout.blogspot.com Well, Howard may still be in denial, or damage control mode, or insane, but the rest of the world now knows the truth: Iraq - Oil supply is an essential factor of Australia’s presence in Iraq Pakistan - Daily Times: Oil key motive for Iraq involvement: Australia United Arab Emirates - Gulfnews: Oil 'key factor for Australia's role in Iraq' Turkey - Oil a factor in Australian role in Iraq: minister India - NDTV.com: Iraq oil security a priority for Australia: Nelson Germany - Oil slick hits Australia's Iraq policy Ireland - RTE News: Mideast oil priority for Australia Etc. Even the Canberra Times has a refreshing glimpse of the truth: The Japanese and the Chinese have proved that it's possible to achieve energy security without resort to force. Indeed, gas and coal producers line up to win contracts to supply their industries. Energy producers and consumers have a symbiotic relationship: both have an incentive to do business, a fact sometimes lost on Americans.