| PRIME Minister John Howard has backed US President George W. Bush’s commitment to usher in a new era of democracy in Iraq. Mr Bush held a press conference to defend the US strategy on Iraq, signalling he was ready to increase US troop strength in the country in the leadup to the handover to an interim Iraqi government. Mr Howard said he welcomed the president’s commitment to Iraq. "(I) welcome his reaffirmation of a commitment to a handover to a provisional Iraqi authority, his continued commitment to the holding of elections, his foreshadowing of the adoption of a new constitution in Iraq, including a bill of rights, which would be a first in the Arab world, his continued commitment to the goal of a free, democratic and independent Iraq," Mr Howard said. "They are all goals that the Australian Government very strongly supports." Mr Bush said the United States would stick to a deadline of June 30 for handing over political power to Iraqis. He said a UN envoy would help decide which Iraqis would be placed in charge. |