Howard: Aus to stay in Iraq

2004-04-26 07:27

Sydney - Prime Minister John Howard hinted on Monday that Australia could send more troops to Iraq to cover shortfalls created by the withdrawal of some coalition forces.

Howard, who made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Sunday, said while Australia did not have the capacity to send a large number of extra troops there may be "niche activities" which could be fulfilled.

"We'd look at it on the merits," Howard told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

"There could be some change in composition, some increase in the margins ... but given our other commitments, it's quite a sizeable commitment.

"Does that mean that I would absolutely rule out ever increasing it? ... Of course I don't. That would be foolish."

Some 850 Australian troops remain in and around Iraq, down from the 2 000 committed to the US-led war in March last year.

Howard has previously stated he saw no reason to increase Australia's presence there and that he had not received a request from the United States to bolster its forces.

But the situation changed two weeks ago when Spain and its South American allies vowed to pull their soldiers out as soon as possible.

Australian forces are running air traffic control operations at Baghdad airport, providing protection for expatriates and are training Iraqi soldiers in military drills, weaponry and leadership.

"If we did do more that would be appreciated," Howard told public radio.

The prime minister spent around six hours in Baghdad on Sunday where he met with the head of US troops there, Lieutenant-General Ricardo Sanchez, and joined Australian personnel for Anzac Day services commemorating the country's war dead.

He used the visit to announce that Australian troops would remain in Iraq until at least June next year.

Howard said he had learnt a lot from speaking to US military leaders and members of the Iraqi governing council on the challenges facing Iraq and the progress being made.

"I'm more determined than ever that Australia should stay the distance and finish the task that Australia has," Howard said.

The statement ensured the troops debate would be one of the most decisive issues in the federal election expected in October or November.

Opposition Labour leader Mark Latham has pledged to bring Australian soldiers home by Christmas if he wins the election.

- AFP