What Australian newspapers say, Saturday Aug 23

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What Australian newspapers say, Saturday Aug 23

SYDNEY, Aug 23 AAP - The Australian says in its editorial today that the terroristswho attacked the United Nations in Baghdad this week want more than revenge on the UnitedStates. And the terrorist who blew up a Jerusalem bus on Wednesday clearly did not wantpeace with Israel.

These two awful attacks were not the cries of the poor and oppressed. Western liberalism,which attributes rational motives to terror, has no explanation for such slaughter.

Islamic terrorism will settle for nothing less than absolute authority. The bombersof Jerusalem and Baghdad cannot be appeased.

It is time for moderate Islamic leaders to loudly echo the words of Saudi Arabia'smullahs who last weekend proclaimed terrorism a perversion of Islam, the Australian says.

The Australian Financial Review says in its editorial today that the rapid progresstowards a free-trade deal with the United States is good news for Australia.

It is less unequivocally good news for Labor, which is making heavy going of workingout whether it is for or against it.

Simon Crean's job is to offer a vision different to that of John Howard. But opposingMr Howard in everything is not a vision, the Review says.

The Sydney Morning Herald says in its editorial today that civil aviation was oncethe glamour industry - but the halcyon days are gone.

This is the backdrop to Qantas's present precarious position, and the necessity forit to reinvent itself to ensure its future.

Qantas has come through the aviation turmoil better than most. But if its managementis truthful, its choice for the moment may be reduced conditions for most workers, orno conditions for all. It is instructive to look at the earlier predicament of Ansettworkers.

However, the pain should be shared by all, including management, the Herald says.

Melbourne's the Age says in its editorial today that modern life is unthinkable withoutelectricity.

So ubiquitous is our need that, not until it fails, do we give it a thought - as occurredwith the United States and Canada blackouts.

"The failure had been predicted, and the folly of ignoring such a warning should nowbe clear in Australia, too," the Age says.

Adelaide's Advertiser says in its editorial today that electricity generators mustreduce their emissions of carbon dioxide.

The World Wild Life Fund has released alarming figures showing that Australia's 15largest power generation companies, operating 24 power stations, produce greenhouse emissionequivalent to 40 million cars each year.

"As society becomes more affluent and more demanding, this almost uninhibited releaseof carbon dioxide - a major cause of global warming - will increase unless tough filteringrequirements are introduced," the Advertiser says.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph says in its editorial today that it is hard to criticise thedecision by NSW Transport Minister Michael Costa to ditch the $1.2 billion Epping to Parramattarail line.

A projected patronage of only 15,600 a day does seem pretty skinny - especially whencompared with the original 1988 assessment of 32,000 a day. And no one wants another $600airport rail link disaster - empty trains rattling past empty stations.

Nonetheless, Mr Costa is starting to look like the horror movie figure Freddy Krugerin his management of the transport portfolio. He should allow himself to dream a little.

Let us hope Mr Costa will eventually tire of playing with his current model train setand consider expanding the size of his shed, the Telegraph says.

Melbourne's the Herald Sun says in its editorial today that a way should be found toresolve the rift between surgeon Paddy Dewan and the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) withoutaffecting his patients.

Professor Dewan has raised concerns about the welfare of patients - concerns the hospitalsays are out of date.

"It is up to RCH management to reassure patients that its clinical risk managementis as solid as it claims," the Herald Sun says.

AAP mf/ak/

KEYWORD: EDITORIALS