Posted on 02/20/2007 8:39:55 PM PST by FairOpinion
Prime Minister John Howard today ruled out following Britain's lead and reducing troop numbers in Iraq. Australia also has about 550 soldiers in southern Iraq, based at Tallil, and Mr Howard says there are no plans to reduce those numbers.
“You've got to maintain critical mass and to do the job, according to our defence advice, you need that,” he told reporters in Perth.
“The reason I understand Mr Blair will give is that conditions have stabilised in Basra so that there can be this decision taken.
“They will still have 5,000 and we will 550.
“I don't think it follows from that that there should be a reduction in our 550,” Mr Howard said. Australia currently has about 1,450 personnel in the Middle East, including about 900 inside Iraq.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair will tell parliament that 1500 servicemen and women in and around Basra will leave within weeks, and a further 1500 troops will be home by Christmas.
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.news.com.au ...
Remember, he was the one who pointed out that the terrorists want the Democrats to win.
HEY NM it is offical your PM is not pulling out of Iraq unlike his Brit counterpart
More in you face Obama actions by the Australian PM. Now what you got to say about it Mr. B. Hussein Obama
He badmouth it if I know that crazy Osama Barek
OMGGG I went to Target's today his book is only selling at 3.95 at local Target store LOL!
Thank you Prime Minister!
Blair really isn't pulling out either. He's reducing troop numbers because they no longer need the same number of troops to do the job that they are doing.
Australia's situation is different - we've already reduced our numbers in Iraq to the minimum needed to do the jobs we are currently doing and protect ourselves.
Bringing troops home can be a sign of victory, as well as a sign of surrender.
Good on you, mate!
This American appreciates it.
.....plus many may not know that the Aussies have sided with the U.S. in more wars than anyone...including Great Britain.....more than any other ally....
Australia knows how to do it "ping."
Thank you, Australia.
I wish that we could nominate HIM here....lol
God Bless you!
Someone should write a book about the Audacity of a bi-racial, bi-religious, potentially bi-curious, liberal that critizes a countries willingness to fight along side of the what in his mind is "The Great Satan" United States...
Imagine the audacity of this man wanting to be the President of this great nation.
$3.95 huh almost worth buying... to use as firewood.
Nicely done!
If the GOP can't come up with any better 08 frontrunners, I
am going to Australia and vote for John Howard. Would that we have someone with half his backbone here in the states.
Good on the aussies- I hope when Howard resigns he'll come over here and run for congress lol- We need someone to tell it liek it is!
The following link is a signature link and does not relate to this thread http://sacredscoop.com
Indeed. God bless him!
I think lefties hate Howard even more than usual because he looks a little like Cheney.
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