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| Iraq |
| Australia to Bring Troops in Iraq Home |
| 2003-04-17 |
| Australia plans to bring home by June most of the 2,000 troops it sent to join the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, Prime Minister John Howard said. Two ships, the Anzac and the Darwin, will return to Australia by the end of May, followed by the 14 FA/18 Hornet warplanes and the regiment of 150 special forces troops, or SAS, Howard told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio. ``Those forces that were particularly at the sharp end of the conflict, and I'm thinking of the SAS and the Hornets, there is no need to keep them there any longer,'' he said, adding that some troops would remain during a ``transitional phase.'' Also leaving are ``some of the special force combat support elements and also the naval clearance diving team,'' he said. Thanks to all these great soldiers! The Australian forces have suffered no casualties yet in the fighting. Howard's government has said it will send military air traffic controllers to Iraq to help the flow of humanitarian aid and a team of chemical weapons experts to help hunt down Saddam Hussein's stocks of weapons of mass destruction. Howard hangs in there and keeps doing useful things to help us. It's why you know you can count on the Aussies. Howard's decision to send forces sparked mass protests across the country, with hundreds of thousands attending peace rallies in major cities in February That usually happens when you're vindicated for taking a principaled stand. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #12 I worked with an Aussie Intel guy in Hawaii. We have a long history of cooperation. Thanks again for the help and support mate. Aoy! |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2003-04-17 17:54:13 |
| #11 Thanks a million, mates! I agree with Capsu78: The Spanish PM also deserves kudos for his principled stand. Here's hoping he weathers the political storm as well as Howard. Its starting to look as if, for future operations like this, that America will be providing the main force, while her Allies and friends provide special-purpose units, like Special forces, bio-chemical warfare cleanup units, and such. Except, of course, for the British, who are firmly #2 on Liberty's bench, with Australia being #3. *sighs* And here's hoping the Canadians can come on board next time: Their sharpshooters would have saved lots of civilians in Basara. *shakes head* And poor Israel, waving "Pick me! Pick me!", and always being passed over for political reasons. You KNOW they'll give the Brits a good run for #2. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2003-04-17 12:35:40 |
| #10 And we must not forget the other "first line" coalition partner who also put all his "political capital" into the pot... The Spanish Prime Minister who had to wrestle with millions of voters in the streets. May he land on his feet as well, for taking his stand inpublic and working some serious diplomatic work off stage. |
| Posted by: Capsu78 2003-04-17 11:36:32 |
| #9 I second the comment about substituting French vintages with a good Aussie Shiraz. It says something about the Australians character that they have contributed their young men to European/Middle East conflicts in WWI, WWII, the Gulf War and now, Iraq. Australians obviously believe in, and act upon, what Edmund Burke said: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." |
| Posted by: ColoradoConservative 2003-04-17 11:13:00 |
| #8 For every almost French wine, there is an Aussie equivalent. Those are the ones I'm buying. The Aussie SAS did the job well! I hope the US will award them a campaign medal in recognition for their work to go along with the one that Australia will be awarding. Same goes for the Pole's GROM unit. Anyone telling a "Polack" Joke arounde me is going to get some sharp words, and a strong "suggestion" to change it to a "Frog" joke. Quiet, courageous, professional, deadly. The Aussie SAS and GROM exemplifly those traits, and fit in well with the US and British special forces in this war. The US should do something to award them publicly for having the political guts to deploy those troops, and for the troops themselves for executing their missions so well. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2003-04-17 10:11:31 |
| #7 I had the great good fortune of working with six Aussie Air Force types in Vietnam, in 1970-71. I enjoyed every minute with them - they were a great bunch of individuals, and a formidable team working together. I, too, salute this new group, and the difference they make working with us. God Bless and keep Australia always in His good Graces. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-04-17 09:48:05 |
| #6 Let's see: John Howard: Straight talking, honest, principled, willing to take a political risk to do the right thing. Jacques Chiraq: Liar, back-stabber, double-dealer, anti-American, anti-Semitic, cowardly. Ha! And the Frogs think they were insulting us by not joining up. The Aussies know what the score is, and so do we. I sure as hell won't be visiting Frogistan anytime soon. You have to love the Aussies. They are just like Americans, only upside-down! ;^) Thanks to all the Australian people. This American will not forget your willingness to help us out. There's only one thing I won't do: I can't buy vegemite. **shudder** Other than that, I'm looking for Aussie, Spanish, UK, and Japanese labels on goods. |
| Posted by: Celissa 2003-04-17 09:32:51 |
| #5 God Bless the Aussies, I will be spending my wine dollars on there products, vacation dollars as well, who needs the French with allies like these! |
| Posted by: wills 2003-04-17 09:31:41 |
| #4 I'll third it. I'll take a 150 Aussies on my side any day against 15,000 Franco-Germans. Howard's courage to do the right thing in the face of narrow thinking protest and the SAS' courage when "the game is on," is so admirable and appreciated, words cannot describe. Anon1, you guys/gals always WILL make a difference. Heartfelt thanks, mate! |
| Posted by: jc 2003-04-17 07:30:50 |
| #3 I second that "As Always". Its good to have real friends in the world, always ready to help do the right thing. |
| Posted by: Cowboy is a compliment 2003-04-17 07:02:48 |
| #2 Where do Aussies get that idea, anyway? You didn't just make a difference, you did it "as always." |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2003-04-17 05:14:10 |
| #1 hoorah! sometimes Aussies think we are a) too small to make a difference and b)so insignificant that the effort doesn't register (that is what the anti-war people here sometimes push anyway). But the US and the anglo-phonic world are really our only true allies : it's good to help you out, mate! |
| Posted by: anon1 2003-04-17 04:09:33 |