Posted on 04/16/2003 5:54:11 PM PDT by HuntsvilleTxVeteran
More Diggers Iraq-bound? By Ian McPhedran in Baghdad April 17, 2003
AUSTRALIA is under increasing pressure from the US and Britain to provide peacekeeping troops to post-war Iraq.
They have specifically requested a light infantry battalion based with the Ready Brigade at Townsville.
The 1000 or so troops are on high readiness and can begin to deploy within days.
It is understood US and Britain have told Australia the troops would not be engaged in frontline combat roles, but would become part of a peace-keeping force.
Australian involvement would be vital in convincing other nations to join the peace-keeping effort.
A spokeswoman for Defence Minister Robert Hill confirmed the Government had been approached by Britain to provide infantry support during the post-war phase in Iraq.
However, Prime Minister John Howard virtually ruled out any peace-keeping role early in the campaign.
Last week Mr Howard said he did not envisage a role for a large number of Australian peacekeepers in Iraq.
"I don't see a situation where we'll deploy a large number of ground forces as part of a peace-keeping operation - that's what I'm saying," he said.
Opposition Leader Simon Crean last night said Australia was already heavily stretched with other peace-keeping commitments and should reject the request to provide more troops.
"Once again, Mr Howard has failed to come clean with the Australian people about Iraq," Mr Crean said. "The only way we can extricate ourselves from this mess is to get the UN involved.
"Australia is already heavily committed. We want the troops home, they are needed here."
Mr Crean previously said Australia would have to consider any request from the United Nations to provide peacekeepers.
Australian soldiers have been involved in peace-keeping operations around the world, and about 1000 remain in East Timor.
About 1000 Townsville-based Diggers served in Somalia during 1993. Those troops were given a definite exit date and despite huge pressure from the US were withdrawn on schedule.
The Iraq deployment would be similar and would provide valuable experience for the soldiers. Senior officials have lobbied the Government saying it would not be much more expensive to have a battalion based in Iraq than it is in Townsville.
Coalition leaders have told Australia they are happy for navy, air force and special forces elements to withdraw as soon as the Federal Government wishes.
Senator Hill's spokeswoman confirmed an approach had come from Britain for infantry support in the peace-keeping and rebuilding phase. She said the Government was still considering the request.
"The Government has indicated publicly that we would not provide a large peace-keeping force, but would consider certain niche capabilities," she said.
The spokeswoman said Australia had already agreed to provide the guided missile frigate HMAS Sydney, 12 weapons inspectors, and several air traffic controllers for the post-war phase in Iraq.
The Australian
Deployment's off. With our Timor and Bougainville commitments, the PM says we just can't spare a whole battalion, at this time. The Sydney is en route, so at least the Navy can assist the US. Cheers, By
Yeah, we do. And there's a lot of grumbling from the media here, about our government's refusal to embed reporters with Aussie troops. One problem is that our main contingent on the ground, the SAS, don't allow themselves to be photographed, in circumstances where their faces could be identified.
PS : delighted by your change of tagline. Looks like my prayers were answered. :) Cheers, By
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