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| Down Under |
| Australia considers more trainers, but not more troops, in Iraq |
| 2007-02-19 |
| John Howard says Australia could send more instructors to Iraq in a bid to lift the skills and performance of the nation's military forces. Speaking ahead of the five-day visit of US vice-president Dick Cheney, starting on Thursday, the Prime Minister said he believed Australia's current troop level in Iraq was appropriate. He did not expect Mr Cheney to request more Australian troops. "I wouldn't at the margin rule out some additional trainers because trainers are very important in helping get the Iraqi army ready to do the job we all want it to be able to do, and that is to look after the country's security," he told the Nine Network. However, he said he could never categorically rule out sending more combat forces to respond to some sudden dramatic change of circumstances. Australia currently has some 1,450 personnel in the Middle East, including about 900 inside Iraq. The largest unit is the battle group of 520 troops providing security backup for the Iraqi government in two provinces in southern Iraq. About 30 Australian instructors contribute to training of Iraqi army at the Iraqi basic training centre near Tallil. Australia has some 550 personnel in southern Afghanistan, most with the engineering task group engaged in reconstruction. However, the government has left open the prospect of despatching a special forces task group to assist in countering the anticipated Taliban offensive in the northern spring. US officials have flagged that Mr Cheney will canvass what more Australia may be able to do to enhance its commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr Howard would not rule out sending extra combat troops to Afghanistan. "We will keep our own force commitment in Afghanistan under review," he said. "On Afghanistan we continue to review our force level there. The situation in Afghanistan is not easy. We would like to see a greater commitment in the southern part of the country from a number of the non-NATO countries." Mr Howard again reiterated his view that it would be a disaster if America and its allies pulled out of Iraq early. "I do not want to see a precipitate coalition withdrawal because that would plunge the country into much greater bloodshed," he said. "It would embolden the terrorists, it would be an enormous humiliation for the United States and it would damage Australia's security interests, particularly against terrorists in this part of the world." |
| Posted by:ryuge |