H07394
Headlines : IraqAussie troops in Iraq May Be Home Soon
The Aussie troops in Iraq are charged with the duty of protecting Japanese engineers in southern Iraq.
With the contract set to expire in May, this adds to the dwindling international effort for a fraudulent war. With Spain already gone due to the massive unpopularity of the war, Italy making plans to exit, it appears that Australia may be next.
Though this is far from an anti-war sentiment. Defence Minister Brendan Nelson stated, “We are determined to do the right thing. We are determined to see it through.”
[Posted By NievedeNoche]Republished from The Age
Australian troops could be out of southern Iraq by May as Japan’s early exit from the war-torn province looks increasingly likely.
Based in Al Muthanna province, Australia’s 450-strong security force is charged with protecting Japanese engineers doing reconstruction work there.
But Tokyo media reports the Japanese government was close to announcing it would begin withdrawing its non-combatant troops in March and would pull out entirely by May.
The reports said Australia would follow suit.
New Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said Australia had not yet received any formal notification of a Japanese decision to withdraw.
He said the government would review its commitment if and when it did.
“If we are formally informed by the Japanese government that it intends to withdraw its engineers from southern Iraq, the Australian government will then review the commitment that we have with our troops in that area,” Dr Nelson told reporters in Sydney.
But he said Australia was in Iraq for the long haul.
“We are determined to do the right thing. We are determined to see it through,” he said.
Japan announced in December it would extend its historic military mission in southern Iraq until the end of 2006 and Prime Minister John Howard indicated at the time Australia would stay on…
Posted by NievedeNoche
Revolution: "Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you're a man, you take it." ~ Malcolm X "The future belongs to those who prepare for it today." ~ Malcolm X “Insurrection is an art, and like all arts...
RELATED ITEMS
- Italy To Withdraw Troops In Iraq In '06
Posted by ShadowUnit on Saturday, January 21st 2006
Australia’s in it for the long haul...
It’s unfortunate, but I believe this is the case. I don’t think we’ll see an Australian withdrawal until the U.S gives the go-ahead. Dubyah says ‘jump’ and Little Johnny goes ‘Gee, boss… How high?’