Aussies Set Date For Iraq Pullout
Pictured: A soldier from the the Royal Australian Regiment.
So it’s a mixed emotions day, on my part, for the Aussies. First I’m all happy with them coming out and protesting a planned madrassa near Sydney, but just when I think they’ve come up a notch in my esteem…this:
Baghdad, Dec 21-Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on Friday that the Australian troop in Iraq would withdraw next June.
Iraqi Prime minister AL-Maliki confirmed the resolve to build best relation with Australia.
“I visited our troops at Tulail camp in Nassiriya, south of Iraq, I am proud of what they have done and our combat brigade will continue until June 2008″, Rudd said in joint press conference, convened in Baghdad, with Iraqi prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki on Friday.
Rudd pointed out “the withdrawal would affect only combat troops in the south and Australia would continue to help train the Iraqi army and police in Australia or Jordan. It would help protecting Iraqi oil exportations in the Gulf and we would keep up our air cover”.
Commenting on the news of Australian troop’s withdrawal next June, PM al-Maliki said “I am happy that Australia was a partner in the success achieved and happy they accomplished their mission”.
“There would be long term cooperation between the two countries, and the level of troops next June would include one type of troops and not the forces working in protecting Iraqi oil exportations”, he noted.
He added “As our troops are progressing to be able to depend on their capabilities in stabilizing security, we would thank all troops taking part with us in such risky mission”.
Al-Maliki unveiled that Australia pledged to grant Iraq 100 scholarships in agriculture. “We agreed on increasing the agricultural exchange and exportations, directing Australian companies to invest in Iraq especially in oil sector and benefiting from the agricultural experience”, he said.
Australian primer minister expressed that his country’s readiness to train and equip Iraqi police and army. He also offered “Australian help in technology and improving training skills in various sectors”.
Australia has 1500 soldiers in Iraq working within the multinational troops, the third biggest military contingent after U.S. and Britain.
Granted, its only 1500 guys they got out there in the MNF-I, and they have served right alongside us honorably, as far as I know, I just am disappointed whenever anybody sets a date for leaving. It says to the enemy “Hold on just a little longer, our enemy is leaving soon.” I know its not the Aussie troops’ fault, I salute them and thank them for their help.
(VOI)
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A disappointment, but no surprise…
December 21st, 2007 at 1:53 pm“Run along and play with your little Brit mates, there…”
Bashman:
Wake up mate. The real war against terrorism is not in Iraq, but currently it is in Afghanistan and NW Pakistan.
Fighting the Baathists in Iraq was all about leftover issues from the 1990 invasion of Kuwait. It should not be forgotten that Saddam regime despite being a bunch of total SOBs were Bin Laden and his wahabist mates major foe’s in the Middle East. Whilst our so called allies like the stinking rich families who run Saudi Arabia and a number of the other so called “pro western” Gulf States were in fact his close financial supporters.
The threat to the flow of Oil from the Gulf is important to the U.S but the threat posed by the Wahabbists who are trying to push their version of Islam down everyone throats is not being addressed by being in Iraq!
That Bush jn. and his administration still confuse the two issues continues to weaken the standing of the West in the Middle East.
We in Australia quite frankly think it’s time you people start to focus on the rise of the taliban (remember the countries from where the 9/11 plot was hatched ?) in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Australian SAS troops are fighting on the ground in Afghanistan day in and day out, your negativist and quite frankly silly comments just give aid to the enemy.
How about cutting out the BS and joining us in the real fight! Or are you going to do what you did to us in Vietnam and just give up again?
A very pissed off Australian.
William
December 22nd, 2007 at 3:12 pm@William Wallace
I apologize for my unwarranted remark. I know better than to make light of the Australian fighting spirit.
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:28 pmBut it is a bitter pill to swallow when those you thought of as an ally pull out before the battle is done.
Whether you are fighting the Taliban or Al Qaida in any particular theatre is a small distinction when taken in the context of the war on terror.
In the last six months, the war on terror has taken a turn for the better because of the addition of fighting troops from the U.S.
Having British troops and Australian troops pulled from the field before the job is done is demoralizing for all of those left behind.
American troops are still fighting in Afghanistan. We are still pouring more money and equipment into Afghanistan than any other country.
If you think that Iraq is no longer a legitimate theatre of conflict or that we are only there because Halliburton needs protection, then all I can say is fuck you.
Go home and cover your own ass.