SYDNEY, March 31: Richard Butler, the outspoken former UN chief weapons inspector for Iraq who is now governor of the Australian state of Tasmania , found himself under fire again on Wednesday over reported remarks sharply criticizing the United States.

In an address to local business leaders that was reported on Wednesday in the Hobart Mercury, Butler called the administration of US President George W Bush the most "highly nationalistic and self-centred government we have known". He was also quoted as saying the US government reserved the right to "beat the living daylights" out of anyone who threatened it, regardless of international law.

Opposition politicians accused Butler on Wednesday of reneging on a promise to tone down his political rhetoric after being named to the ceremonial vice-regal post of governor-general last year.

"Accusing a foreign government of total self-interest, of being the most nationalistic and self-centred government we have known, and of tearing up international law, are highly provocative and extremely political statements in anyone's language," said opposition Liberal Party leader Rene Hidding.

"The United States is an important friend and trade partner to Australia and in particular Tasmania and a running political commentary of this nature, coming as it does from Tasmania's head of state, cannot do Tasmania any good whatsoever," Hidding said in a statement.

Before becoming Tasmania's governor, Butler had made headlines for his attacks on Prime Minister John Howard and the Bush administration over their decision to invade Iraq.

But after taking up the governor's post in August, Butler said: "My days of directly attacking politicians and the government are, for the time being, over." A statement from his office on Wednesday said Butler's speech should not be misconstrued as an attack on the United States or its president.

"The governor is deeply disappointed that his wide-ranging speech on international affairs, covering social, economic and political matters, was not reported more fully," the statement said.

"The topic was set by the business leaders' group," it said. "He cautions those who were not present at the speech to be wary of drawing conclusions on the basis of one media outlet's interpretation of what was said." -AFP