Top Australian adviser quits over Iraq stance

The analyst with the Office of National Assessments (ONA) said the Australian government's backing of war to disarm Iraq, if necessary, was "dumb and not worth the risk".

"Going to war against Iraq, invading Iraq, is exactly the course of action most likely to cause Saddam to lash out recklessly, to use weapons of mass destruction, and maybe even play the terrorism card," Andrew Wilkie told Channel Nine television in an interview.

"It's bad policy, dumb policy, if only because all of the other options have not yet been exhausted," he said.

The ONA confirmed Wilkie had resigned.

The resignation will be embarrassing for Howard, one of the most vocal supporters of United States President George Bush's tough war stance.

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