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| Down Under |
| PM in Baghdad for Anzac Day |
| 2004-04-25 |
| PRIME Minister John Howard today made a surprise visit to Baghdad for Anzac Day services as around Australia tens of thousands of people honoured the Anzac spirit. Under extraordinary security arrangements, Mr Howard flew to Iraq for his first visit since Australia sent troops as part of the US-led invasion force in March last year. He was to attend a dawn service and spend some time talking to troops and other Australian representatives on the ground in the capital. "The trip to Iraq is in recognition of the great sacrifice and contribution Australian personnel are making there in challenging conditions," Mr Howard said. "They are following in the footsteps of countless other Australians who have served the nation in many other parts of the globe. "I am certain that all Australians will join me in expressing heartfelt thanks for their efforts. "In remembering those who in the past have given their lives defending our freedoms and way of life, we should also honour those who today put their lives at risk in the service of Australia." Mr Howard was joined by Mal Brough, minister assisting the defence minister, and Chief of the Defence Force, General Peter Cosgrove. Australia has 90 air traffic controllers in Baghdad, plus a detachment of about 90 Army personnel and 53 soldiers who are in Iraq to assist in the training of the Iraqi armed forces. Mr Howard’s trip echoes one made by US President George W. Bush, who last year went into Iraq on a special American day - Thanksgiving Day. Mr Howard had been listed to appear at the national Anzac Day ceremony in Canberra until this morning, when deputy Prime Minister John Anderson was listed as a last minute replacement. He joined Governor-General Michael Jeffery and New Zealand High Commissioner Kate Lackey as guests of honour at the Australian War Memorial. They were met by a royal guard of honour from the Australian Federation Guard. In Perth, children in pyjamas were among the 30,000 people massed in Kings Park. Melbourne’s service attracted about 15,000 and there were big crowds too in Sydney, Adelaide and Townsville. Across the country, officials remembered not only those who had fallen in past conflicts, but also those now serving in troublespots around the world. In Sydney, Australia’s maritime commander Rear Admiral Raydon Gates said: "This year, while thankfully we are not at war, Australia still has sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen deployed overseas in dangerous places." In Perth, Royal Australian Air Force group captain Peter Capwell told the crowd world events meant the Anzac spirit was now, more than ever before, something Australia should never forget. "World events in September 11, including Bali and more recently in Spain, clearly demonstrate that terrorism threatens us all," he said. "We will eventually win the war on terror but it will be a difficult struggle. In dealing with this challenge, we will do well to draw on the Anzac Spirit and approach it with the same courage, tenacity and selflessness that was shown in Gallipoli on this morning 89 years ago." |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #9 while I agree that with Howard you see is what you get (on most occasions) I have considerable problems with his ideology. He has done far too many things over the years which I finds offensive. Latham may not be the perfect alternative but at this stage I do find him preferable. |
| Posted by: Igs 2004-04-26 7:59:27 AM |
| #8 Igs, but with Howard what you see is what you get. As opposed to Latham who is busy weasling his way around all the significant issues. So it comes down to 'do you want or choice or not' Howard has a position and hence you can choose. I don't see Latham ofering any kind of consistent position. The essence of (good) politics is to offer a choice, you are then free to choose not to support the choice you are presented with. I dont see Labour offering a comparable choice. |
| Posted by: Phil_B 2004-04-25 11:55:49 AM |
| #7 Lots of reasons, from my point of view, he leads a tired government, lacks vision, is very divisive in the way he runs the country, has consistently lied (and I'm not referring to any WMDs or Iraq here), his social attitudes reflect the 1950s, he failed to act when Paulne Hanson first came on the scene and then quietly adopted her policies...it's a long list |
| Posted by: Igs 2004-04-25 11:42:16 AM |
| #6 lgs Why? |
| Posted by: tipper 2004-04-25 10:09:51 AM |
| #5 I personally hope he gets his butt kicked out of office |
| Posted by: Igs 2004-04-25 9:41:49 AM |
| #4 Good on you, Mr. Howard and hope you win that election! (I love John Howard!) And amen to that God Bless Australia! |
| Posted by: Jen 2004-04-25 8:41:47 AM |
| #3 rofl...as if no one saw this one coming, not long to go now till the election |
| Posted by: Igs 2004-04-25 8:17:28 AM |
| #2 Aussie LLL seething in 5, 4, 3.... |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2004-04-25 1:09:24 AM |
| #1 God Bless Australia |
| Posted by: Destro 2004-04-25 12:21:14 AM |