Australia in step with UK on Iraq: Downer

[maddezmom]

February 21, 2007

FOREIGN Minister Alexander Downer says Britain's policy in Iraq remains the same as Australia's, despite British Prime Minister Tony Blair's plan to withdraw troops from the war-torn country.

Britain had reacted to improving security conditions in Iraq's south, just as Australia would react in regard to its own troops, he said.

But Mr Downer sought to show a fundamental difference with the opposition, saying Labor Leader Kevin Rudd's Iraq policy was time-based, not conditions-based.

~snip~

Prime Minister John Howard has spent weeks lashing Labor over its plan to begin withdrawing Australian troops from Iraq – only to have one of the original coalition war partners now prepare to withdraw its forces.

"The British position and our position is actually identical. That is that we believe that a withdrawal should be conditions-based, not time-based," Mr Downer said to ABC TV.

more: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21266201-29277,00.html

[Heidi]

1. Kick.

:kick:

[Doondoo]

2. Howard plays down British plan

A defiant Prime Minister John Howard today ruled out a withdrawal of Australian troops from Iraq as he played down the importance of Britain's pullout plan.

The Australian government put a positive spin on Britain's decision to start cutting its 7100 troops, arguing it was because security had improved in their stronghold around Basra, in southern Iraq.

Mr Howard has spent weeks lashing Labor over its plan to begin withdrawing Australian troops from Iraq - only to have one of the original coalition war partners now do the same thing.

Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd challenged Mr Howard to follow the British lead. "My challenge to Mr Howard is what is your policy for winning the war in Iraq and what is your exit strategy for Australian troops?"

But the government initially defended the British move as a reduction in troops, not a withdrawal.

"The British government are reducing their troop numbers in Iraq ... they're not withdrawing," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.

"They will be leaving several thousand troops in Iraq and the important point to make here is the British are not withdrawing from Iraq."



http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/howard-plays-down-british-plan/2007/02/21/1171733818334.html