fibula
11-14-2006, 02:31 AM
Australia holds line on Iraq
By Malcolm Farr, Chief Political Reporter
November 14, 2006 12:00
AUSTRALIA is holding the line on Iraq despite expectations the newly-resurgent US Democrats will withdraw American troops in 2007.
Prime Minister John Howard said he believed US President George W. Bush would retain control of Iraq policy, despite the Democrats' control of Congress.
He dismissed forecasts the President would be given an ultimatum to bring troops home in four to six months.
"I don't believe that will end up being the Democrat position," Mr Howard said in an exclusive interview with The Daily Telegraph.
"Unless the Democrats are going to take the radical step of threatening to cut off money, which I don't believe they will, conduct of foreign policy remains with the White House.
"We have to keep a sense of perspective, balance."
The Prime Minister will give President Bush Australia's views on Iraqi withdrawal during a private lunch on Friday in Hanoi, where both will be attending a leaders' summit for the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum in Vietnam.
Mr Howard told The Daily Telegraph he believed he already knows his American friend's views.
"I think his views are that America is not going to precipitantly withdraw because that would deliver a victory to the terrorists," the Prime Minister said.
"He's not going to do that. He must look at ways of making the American presence and the coalition presence more effective. He must look at ways of trying to help the Iraqis do better."
Australia has not been invited to make submissions to a committee established by Mr Bush under former secretary of state James Baker to offer new strategies in Iraq.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair will make a contribution.
"I will take the opportunity when I see President Bush of giving him my views about where we think things are and some of the different ways we could tackle the situation," Mr Howard said.
"The objective is still to hand over to the Iraqis a country that is reasonably assured of democracy.
"That must remain out objective – how you bring that about is I guess a question of tactics, which must be adapted and changed from time to time.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20750826-5001021,00.html
I don't really have any comment, just thought I'd post it
By Malcolm Farr, Chief Political Reporter
November 14, 2006 12:00
AUSTRALIA is holding the line on Iraq despite expectations the newly-resurgent US Democrats will withdraw American troops in 2007.
Prime Minister John Howard said he believed US President George W. Bush would retain control of Iraq policy, despite the Democrats' control of Congress.
He dismissed forecasts the President would be given an ultimatum to bring troops home in four to six months.
"I don't believe that will end up being the Democrat position," Mr Howard said in an exclusive interview with The Daily Telegraph.
"Unless the Democrats are going to take the radical step of threatening to cut off money, which I don't believe they will, conduct of foreign policy remains with the White House.
"We have to keep a sense of perspective, balance."
The Prime Minister will give President Bush Australia's views on Iraqi withdrawal during a private lunch on Friday in Hanoi, where both will be attending a leaders' summit for the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum in Vietnam.
Mr Howard told The Daily Telegraph he believed he already knows his American friend's views.
"I think his views are that America is not going to precipitantly withdraw because that would deliver a victory to the terrorists," the Prime Minister said.
"He's not going to do that. He must look at ways of making the American presence and the coalition presence more effective. He must look at ways of trying to help the Iraqis do better."
Australia has not been invited to make submissions to a committee established by Mr Bush under former secretary of state James Baker to offer new strategies in Iraq.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair will make a contribution.
"I will take the opportunity when I see President Bush of giving him my views about where we think things are and some of the different ways we could tackle the situation," Mr Howard said.
"The objective is still to hand over to the Iraqis a country that is reasonably assured of democracy.
"That must remain out objective – how you bring that about is I guess a question of tactics, which must be adapted and changed from time to time.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20750826-5001021,00.html
I don't really have any comment, just thought I'd post it