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Aust reviews troops' Baghdad role
The Federal Government has revealed it is reviewing the role and number of Australian troops in Iraq after deciding to move diplomatic staff in Baghdad to a coalition military camp. Labor leader Kim Beazley is taking credit for the Government's decision to move diplomats after last week's attack on the embassy. "I'm glad we've had an effect - chalk one up to us," Mr Beazley said.But the Government insists it had already decided to move the staff. Defence Minister Robert Hill says while Australian troops will continue to provide transport protection for officials, there may be some changes to troop numbers and functions in Baghdad. "Defence have started an assessment of that," Senator Hill said. The Federal Opposition says it is time to start pulling coalition forces out of Iraq now that democratic elections have been held. But the Government insists Australian troops will be there for some time. The Government and the Opposition have praised the Iraqi people for turning out to vote. But they still differ on a timetable for withdrawing troops. "We should be starting to pull back," Labor leader Kim Beazley said. "The Americans should be starting to pull back too." Senator Hill says now is too early but it appears an exit strategy for coalition forces may be being planned. "They may well be able to significantly reduce that number in another 18 months but it really depends on the pace of development of Iraq on security forces," he said. Posted by: God Save The World 2005-01-31 |
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