Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Media: The Associated Press
Byline: By ROD McGUIRK
Date: 17 October 2006
Body:
CANBERRA, Australia_Prime Minister John Howard urged his coalition
government Tuesday to stand firm against opposition calls for a swift
withdrawal of Australian troops from Iraq, an official said.
Australia's troop deployment in Iraq is set to be a prominent issue in
campaigns ahead of next year's election, and the main opposition Labor Party
has already pledged to withdraw most soldiers if it wins.
Howard asked his government during a meeting at Parliament House on Tuesday
to focus the policy debate on the consequences of a hasty Australian
pullout, a government spokesman told reporters at an official briefing. The
spokesman cannot be named according to government policy.
"Precipitant withdrawal from Iraq would have big implications and would
boost the terrorist cause worldwide," the spokesman quoted Howard as saying.
Labor Leader Kim Beazley argues that the 1,300 Australian troops posted in
and near Iraq are encouraging terrorists and that only soldiers protecting
Australian diplomats should remain in the region.
Howard, who sent 2,000 troops to support U.S. and British forces in the Iraq
invasion, has promised to keep the Australian military there as long as it
is needed.
An ACNielsen poll published in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper this
month showed 59 percent of respondents think the Australian troops still
deployed in Iraq should be pulled out, while 36 percent said they should
stay.
Byline: By ROD McGUIRK
Date: 17 October 2006
Body:
CANBERRA, Australia_Prime Minister John Howard urged his coalition
government Tuesday to stand firm against opposition calls for a swift
withdrawal of Australian troops from Iraq, an official said.
Australia's troop deployment in Iraq is set to be a prominent issue in
campaigns ahead of next year's election, and the main opposition Labor Party
has already pledged to withdraw most soldiers if it wins.
Howard asked his government during a meeting at Parliament House on Tuesday
to focus the policy debate on the consequences of a hasty Australian
pullout, a government spokesman told reporters at an official briefing. The
spokesman cannot be named according to government policy.
"Precipitant withdrawal from Iraq would have big implications and would
boost the terrorist cause worldwide," the spokesman quoted Howard as saying.
Labor Leader Kim Beazley argues that the 1,300 Australian troops posted in
and near Iraq are encouraging terrorists and that only soldiers protecting
Australian diplomats should remain in the region.
Howard, who sent 2,000 troops to support U.S. and British forces in the Iraq
invasion, has promised to keep the Australian military there as long as it
is needed.
An ACNielsen poll published in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper this
month showed 59 percent of respondents think the Australian troops still
deployed in Iraq should be pulled out, while 36 percent said they should
stay.