Diggers Must Stay: Iraq Leader

One of Iraq's most influential politicians has criticised Mark Latham's pledge to withdraw Australian troops from the strife-torn state by Christmas, claiming they were playing a significant role in reducing the threat of Terrorism.

The remarks by Ahmad Chalabi, the acting President of the Iraqi Governing Council, follow similar comments from Democrat Presidential hopeful John Kerry in the US last week.

But the Opposition remains determined to withdraw Australian troops as early as possible after the scheduled June30 handover to a sovereign administration, in what is shaping as a defining election issue.

Speaking from Baghdad on the ABC's Insiders, Mr Chalabi challenged the setting of arbitrary deadlines for the withdrawal of troops.

He said that Australian troops were needed for at least another year.

"I would like to see Australian forces in Iraq, and I believe that they also can play a significant role in the training of the Police and the Civil Defence Corps and the Army," Mr Chalabi said.

"It is important that Australia as a country feels committed to participate in this War in Iraq, which is in fact the most significant War against Terrorism that exists now in the world."

Labor Defence spokesman Chris Evans said the Opposition remained determined to have troops removed from Iraq as soon as possible.

Mr Evans claimed that Mr Chalabi was engaging in a 'false argument" over the usefulness of Australia's small contingent in the Iraqi theatre.

"We provide some niche capabilities," he said on the Nine Network's Sunday. "Useful capabilities, but we're not part of the peacekeeping."

"What Labor says is we've got other priorities. We want to concentrate on those priorities and we want our troops out of Iraq."

Defence Minister Robert Hill will travel to Iraq next week to visit the troops and meet Iraqi and coalition officials. But the Government is keeping the visit top-secret.

"There will be a substantial security operation," Defence Force chief General Peter Cosgrove said.

"We wouldn't want to hand out even the whiff of an advantage to an adversary."

Senator Hill will represent Australia at Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli on Sunday.

He will also meet his British counterpart, Geoff Hoon, in London to discuss issues such as the War on Terror and the progress of reconstruction and rehabilitation operations in Iraq.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he believed the UN was the organisation best placed to restore unity in Iraq.

"I think the UN has a better ability to put together the interim Government than the US because of the perception – whether it's a reality or not is another thing – but the perception of the UN being more impartial, more independent," Mr Downer said on the Seven Network's Sunday Sunrise.


See Also:
The Rising Tide of Islamic Fundamentalism (I)
The Rising Tide of Islamic Fundamentalism (II)
The True Meaning of Jihad
The Holy Qur'an Says...
The Myth That Must Die!
Why We Fight!
Calling Evil By Its Name
The 'Fifth Column' Exposed!