Australian PM Abbott Won't Rule Out Following US Military Into Iraq As Civil War Threatens
Obama says 'Aussies know how to fight'
June 13, 2014 - 10:42AM
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has not ruled out potential Australian military action in Iraq describing the situation there as ''disastrous''.
Speaking after a meeting with US President Barack Obama in Washington on Thursday morning, Mr Abbott said Australia ''would do what we reasonably can to protect Australian citizens, Australian interests and Australian values''.
--clip
He said Australia was one of a handful of nations America knew it could always count on, not just because of shared values, but because of military capability.
''Aussies know how to fight, and I like having them in a foxhole if we're in trouble,'' Mr Obama said.
Mr Abbott's comments in the US appear to be at odds with Defence Minister David Johnston who said on Thursday that there were ''no plans'' to provide military help to Baghdad in its battle against an al-Qaeda splinter group that has cut a swathe through northern Iraq.
Read more:
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-wont-rule-out-following-us-military-into-iraq-as-civil-war-threatens-20140613-3a140.html#ixzz34V9lzpCH