Richard Butler (born May 13, 1942) served as an Australian diplomat, United Nations weapons inspector, and Governor of Tasmania. May 13 is the 133rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (134th in leap years). ... This article is about the year. ... The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that describes itself as a global association of governments facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, and social equity. ... List of Governors of Tasmania Note that Tasmania was called Van Diemens Land until 1855 (see History of Tasmania). ...

Life and career

Butler was born in Coolah in rural New South Wales, but grew up in Sydney and was educated at Sydney University and the Australian National University, Canberra. He joined the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs in 1965, and served in a number of postings until 1975, when he resigned to become Principal Private Secretary to the Australian Labor Party Opposition Leader, Gough Whitlam, who had recently been dismissed as Prime Minister. Coolah is a village and local government area in the central northern part of the Australian state of New South Wales. ... Motto: Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites (Newly Risen, How Brightly You Shine) Nickname: First State, Premier State Other Australian states and territories Capital Sydney Government Governor Premier Const. ... Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales. ... The University of Sydney, established in 1850, is the oldest university in Australia, and it is located in Sydney, the capital city of the state of New South Wales. ... The Australian National University (ANU), is a university located in Canberra, the national capital of Australia. ... For other uses, see Canberra (disambiguation). ... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... The Australian Labor Party or ALP is Australias oldest political party. ... Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC (born 11 July 1916), known as Gough Whitlam (pronounced Goff), Australian politician and 21st Prime Minister of Australia, was the only Australian Prime Minister to be dismissed by the Governor-General. ... Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister A Prime Minister is a politician who serves as the head of the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ...

In 1983 the next Labor Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, appointed him as Australia's Permanent Representative on Disarmament to the United Nations in Geneva. He was next appointed Australian Ambassador to Thailand, and played a major part in the Cambodian peace settlement, working closely with then Foreign Minister Gareth Evans. He was Australian Ambassador to the United Nations from 1992 to 1997. 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Robert James Lee Hawke (born 9 December 1929) was an Australian trade union leader and politician and the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia. ... Geneva (pronunciation //; French: Genève //, German: Genf //, Italian: Ginevra) is the second most populous city in Switzerland, situated where Lake Geneva (French Lac Léman) flows into the Rhône River. ... Gareth Evans may refer to: Gareth Evans, a philosopher and linguist. ... The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that describes itself as a global association of governments facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, and social equity. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII in Roman) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Butler at UNSCOM

In 1997 Butler was appointed Chairman of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM), the UN weapons inspection organisation in Iraq, in succession to Rolf Ekéus. In this role he antagonised both the Iraqi regime and the United States, and was frequently described as arrogant and aggressive. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan rebuked him for using "undiplomatic" language about then Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein. 1997 (MCMXCVII in Roman) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) was a United Nations organisation performing arms inspections in Iraq after the Gulf War. ... Rolf Ekéus (born 1935) is a Swedish diplomat. ... Kofi Atta Annan (born April 8, 1938) is a Ghanaian diplomat and the seventh and current Secretary-General of the United Nations. ... Saddam Hussein Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti, (Arabic ), born April 28, 1937 , was the President of Iraq from 1979 until he was captured by US troops on December 13th, 2003, following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, though he maintains he is still president. ...

While at UNSCOM Butler frequently argued that Saddam had undisclosed weapons of mass destruction. In a 1999 speech he said: Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) generally include nuclear, biological, chemical and, increasingly, radiological weapons. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ...

"following Iraq's expulsion from Kuwait, it became clear that the Saddam Hussein government had created a range and quality of weapons of mass destruction that was truly alarming. Iraq had also acquired a very considerable long-range missile force to deliver those weapons. There was also concern about Iraq's nuclear weapons program, which through the International Atomic Energy Agency, we now know was advanced. It was for these reasons that the Security Council imposed very heavy, very strict requirements upon Iraq for the destruction, removal or rendering harmless of those weapons, and all of that to be done under international supervision."

He also accused Iraq of actively concealing its weapons and obstructing UNSCOM's work: The IAEA flag The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA, internally often referred to as The Agency), established as an autonomous organization on July 29, 1957, seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for military purposes. ...

"Iraq never kept its side of the bargain by: not making honest disclosure statements of its prohibited weapons and weapons capability; unilaterally destroying weapons in order to ensure that the Commission would never know the full nature and scope of what it had held and this, under circumstances where the law required that all destruction be conducted under international supervision; and, through the pursuit of an active policy and practice of concealing weapons and proscribed components from the Commission."

In a 1999 interview he said: 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ...

"I like to refer to the existence of the "anti-UNSCOM industry." They have an enormous bureaucracy, established for the purpose of defeating UNSCOM, run by a high government committee, with a government ministry, called the National Monitoring Directorate. I mean, Tariq Aziz directs this. And there's no question that for every person we would put into the field, they would have ten. I mean, I wonder whether it's not the second largest industry in Iraq, after the oil industry. I mean, it's a very big show. They have been extremely active in seeking to defeat our work. That's been a big problem for us."

In 1998 Iraq accused Butler and other UNSCOM officials of acting as spies for the United States, but the UNSCOM weapons inspectors were not expelled from the country by Iraq as has often been reported (and as George W. Bush alleged in his infamous "axis of evil" speech). Rather, according to Butler himself in his book Saddam Defiant (2000), it was U.S. Ambassador Peter Burleigh, acting on instructions from Washington, who suggested Butler pull his team from Iraq in order to protect them from the forthcoming U.S. and British airstrikes. A number of media reports in the United States suggested that there was some substance to the spying allegations. Both the Washington Post and the Boston Globe, citing anonymous sources, said that Butler had known of and co-operated with a US electronic eavesdropping operation that allowed intelligence agents to monitor military communications in Iraq. This was confirmed by UNSCOM insider Rod Barton on Australian television in February 2005. This intelligence was used to target US air attacks on Iraq. Tariq Aziz, also Tareq Aziz (Arabic طارق عزيز) (b. ... Pumpjack pumping an oil well near Sarnia, Ontario Petroleum (from Greek petra – rock and elaion – oil or Latin oleum – oil ), crude oil, sometimes colloquially called black gold or Texas Tea, is a thick liquid that varies in colour, from a bright orange hue to a pitch dark black. ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... ... The Boston Globe is the most widely-circulated daily newspaper in Boston, Massachusetts and in the greater New England region. ...

Butler denied these allegations, and was publicly supported by Kofi Annan, but Annan was reported to be privately seeking Butler's resignation, which occurred a few months later. After leaving UNSCOM in 1999 Butler was a Diplomat-in-Residence at the Council of Foreign Relations. 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is a think tank which describes itself as dedicated to increasing Americas understanding of the world and contributing ideas to U.S. foreign policy. ...

During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Butler, despite his earlier criticism of Saddam Hussein, opposed the US-led invasion and Australian participation in it. In July 2003 he called for the resignations of Prime Minister John Howard and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who he said had misled the Australian people over the war. This article covers invasion specifics. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) is an Australian politician and the countrys 25th Prime Minister. ... The Hon. ...

Governor of Tasmania

In August 2003 the Labor Premier Jim Bacon announced the appointment of Butler as Governor of Tasmania for a five-year term. He was sworn in on October 3. Although the office is largely ceremonial, Butler was paid an annual salary of A$370,000, higher than that for any other Australian state Governor, and higher even than the Governor-General's salary. His appointment was criticised on the grounds that he was not Tasmanian by either birth or association, that he was too closely identified with the Labor Party, and that he was a republican, and thus not a suitable person to represent the Queen of Australia, Elizabeth II, in Tasmania. 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... James Alexander Bacon AC (May 15, 1950 - June 20, 2004) was Premier of Tasmania from 1998 to 2004. ... List of Governors of Tasmania Note that Tasmania was called Van Diemens Land until 1855 (see History of Tasmania). ... October 3 is the 276th day of the year (277th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Governor-General (or Governor General) is a term used both historically and currently to designate the appointed representative of a head of state or their government for a particular territory, historically in a colonial context, but no longer necessarily in that form. ... Republicanism is the idea of a nation being governed as a republic. ... Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, in 1952 and 2002 The title Queen of Australia has existed since 1973, when the Parliament of Australia passed the Royal Style and Titles Act (1973). ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor), born 21 April 1926, is Queen of sixteen independent nations known as the Commonwealth Realms (and has previously been Queen of sixteen others). ...

The Melbourne daily The Age wrote: Melbourne is the state capital and largest city in the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-largest city in Australia (after Sydney), with a population of approximately 3. ... The Age is a broadsheet daily newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. ...

"The Sydney-born Mr Butler - who has visited 90 countries and lived in 20 - has hardly spent any time in Tasmania at all. Tenuous though his links to the state may be, it is not his "outsider" status that is at issue. More to the point is that Mr Butler is an avowed, indeed, a vociferous republican. In a state where the role of Queen's representative is taken seriously, that may lead to a degree of suspicion among Her Majesty's more loyal subjects."

Butler sought to ease such fears by saying: "I will give no gratuitous offence to any monarchist. It would be pointless and offensive to do so. The day will come when the next part of the Australian story will be told, but in the meantime we get on with our story today and the process of building and making Tasmania grow."

He added: "I hope my international knowledge, my contacts, my experience in the global environment will enable me to make a contribution to the growing international awareness of Tasmania."

He married Dr Jennifer Grey, his third wife, the day after he was sworn in as Governor, and commenced his term by leaving for a three-week overseas honeymoon. Some observers felt this was an inappropriate way to show his commitment to the people of Tasmania. Criticisms of various kinds continued thereafter. When Butler made public comment on domestic and international affairs, the Premier, Paul Lennon, asked him to refrain from doing so. Paul Lennon (born 1956), Australian politician, has been Premier of Tasmania since 21 March 2004. ...

In early August 2004, the Tasmanian Liberal Opposition Leader, Rene Hidding, withdrew his support from Butler, and a federal Labor MP, Harry Quick, also criticised him. In the same week, three long-serving staff members at Government House resigned. They have not revealed their reasons. It was reported that the head of the Premier's Department Linda Hornsey told one of the staff members to resign or be sacked, but at whose instigation this was is not known. The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian liberal conservative political party. ... Rene Hidding (born 5 February 1953), Australian politician, is the leader of the Liberal Party and Leader of the Opposition in Tasmania. ... Harry Quick Harry Vernon Quick (born 28 June 1941), Australian politician with the Australian Labor Party. ...

These departures occurred while Butler was once again on leave, this time for two weeks, during which time he made three public appearances, as "Governor of Tasmania", in performances of Samuel Barber's Lincoln Portrait (a work for speaker and orchestra) with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Reporters tried to speak to Butler while on his way to rehearsals of this work, but were told to leave him and his wife alone as they were "on holiday". Samuel Barber, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1944 Samuel Osborne Barber (March 9, 1910 – January 23, 1981) was an American composer of classical music best known for his Adagio for Strings. He was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania and began to compose at the age of seven. ... Sydney Symphony Orchestra, now known as the Sydney Symphony, is a symphony orchestra based in Sydney, Australia. ...

When asked for his view of the growing public controversy about Butler's performance and behaviour as Governor, the Prime Minister John Howard said he would not comment on a matter reserved for state authorities, but he nevertheless made the point, repeatedly, that "this was not my appointment". (However, a few days later he expressed the view that the appointment had always been "inappropriate" given Mr Butler's anti-monarchist stance.) The office of Prime Minister is in practice the most powerful political office in the Commonwealth of Australia. ... John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) is an Australian politician and the countrys 25th Prime Minister. ...

On the evening of August 9, after a three-hour meeting with Lennon to discuss the issues, Butler tendered his resignation with immediate effect. It was agreed that he and his wife could remain at Government House until September 3. Butler then issued a press release, referring to "malicious" attacks on him and his wife. "It is with great sadness that I take this decision," he said in the statement. "I have always acted with the best interests of the state at heart and, consistent with that, I felt bound to make this decision." August 9 is the 221st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (222nd in leap years), with 144 days remaining. ... September 3 is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years). ...

The real reasons for Butler's resignation remained a mystery. His supporters said he had been hounded from office by monarchists and the Murdoch press. It is true that the Murdoch-owned Hobart newspaper The Mercury ran a series of articles critical of Butler's performance in the lead-up to his resignation. These aired such matters as his lengthy honeymoon, his alleged inability to get on with staff, and his allegedly arrogant and patronising manner. Rupert Murdoch Keith Rupert Murdoch (born March 11, 1931) is an Australian-born American media proprietor based in New York City who is a major shareholder and the Chairman and Managing Director of News Corporation, one of the worlds largest and most influential media corporations. ... The Mercury is also a paper in Pennsylvania see The Mercury (Pennsylvania) The Mercury is a daily newspaper, published in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. ...

On August 5 The Mercury carried an article reporting the University of Tasmania political scientist Richard Herr as saying that "recent goings-on at Government House appeared inconsistent with legislation attached to the office of Governor." Some of the matters raised included an alleged breach of protocol in the welcome of Botswana's High Commissioner and a luncheon given for him, at which Dr Jennifer Butler officiated. It was alleged that this function should have been hosted by the wife of the Lieutenant-Governor, who had greeted the High Commissioner in the Governor's absence overseas. August 5 is the 217th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (218th in leap years), with 148 days remaining. ... University of Tasmania The University of Tasmania (also abbreviated as UTAS, UTas or Tas Uni) is a well-regarded Australian university, with three campuses on the beautiful island state of Tasmania. ... A High Commissioner is a person serving in a special executive capacity. ...

Writers at the usually well-informed Australian online news and opinion website Crikey.com.au offered several explanations for the crisis. One writer said: "It appears that News Ltd (the Murdoch publishing company) has an agenda to have him removed, and seem to be very poorly informed. For example in today's Mercury, they are on the case again saying that the three top aides have resigned because the place is a shambles. Well, that is not true." News Corporation (abbreviated to News Corp) NYSE: NWS is one of the worlds largest media conglomerates. ...

This writer continued: "What is the Mercury 's agenda, and what exactly is its motivation, that would make a good story. Ask about the get-Butler memo doing the rounds in News Ltd, and ask where did it originate, the answer could be surprising."

Another writer at Crikey.com.au, however, described Butler as "a rude and arrogant bore, not able to get on with his staff, let alone his constituents." This writer quoted Dr Richard Herr from the University of Tasmania as saying that there were "real legal and constitution queries over the things Butler is doing." These included "changes to the office instigated by the Butlers [that] may amount to conventional and constitutional impropriety." University of Tasmania The University of Tasmania (also abbreviated as UTAS, UTas or Tas Uni) is a well-regarded Australian university, with three campuses on the beautiful island state of Tasmania. ...

Upon Butler's resignation, the Lieutenant-Governor, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tasmania, the Hon William (Bill) Cox AC RFD ED, was appointed Acting Governor. A Lieutenant Governor is a government official who is the subordinate or deputy of a Governor or Governor-General. ... The Chief Justice in many countries is the name for the presiding member of a Supreme Court in Commonwealth- or other countries with an Anglosaxon type of justice, such as the Supreme Court of the United States, the Supreme Court of Canada, the Supreme Court of New Zealand, the Supreme... The Supreme Court of Tasmania is the highest court in the Australian State of Tasmania. ... His Excellency the Honourable William (Bill) J. E. Cox, AC, RFD, ED ( born April 1, 1936 in Hobart, Tasmania) has been Governor of Tasmania since 15 December 2004, prior to which he was the states Chief Justice. ...

The day after Butler's resignation, Premier Paul Lennon said that he had offered Butler an ex gratia payment of A$650,000 in compensation for the loss of four years' expected income from the remainder of his five-year term. This payment, which was not constitutionally required, was widely criticised in the press and by the Tasmanian Opposition. Both the Prime Minister, John Howard and the federal Opposition Leader, Mark Latham, were critical of the payment, which Latham described as "sickening." Paul Lennon (born 1956), Australian politician, has been Premier of Tasmania since 21 March 2004. ... Ex gratia (sometimes ex-gratia) is Latin and is most often used in a legal context. ... John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) is an Australian politician and the countrys 25th Prime Minister. ... Mark Latham Mark William Latham (born February 28, 1961), an Australian politician, was Leader of the Federal Parliamentary Australian Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition from December 2003 to January 2005. ...

Books by Richard Butler

• The Greatest Threat: Iraq, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and the Crisis of Global Security (ISBN 1586480391).
• Fatal Choice: Nuclear Weapons and the Illusion of Missile Defense (ISBN 0813340977)

External links

• Richard Butler - Exclusive to Saxton Speakers Bureau
• Butler's 1999 speech on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction
• Richard Butler: The Grief of Baghdad, hilarious profile in the Times of India
• Butler interview on the work of UNSCOM and spying allegations
• Tasmanian newspaper The Mercury article 5 August 2004
• News story on Butler's resignation as Governor of Tasmania
• Governor of Tasmania - Official site