Retreat in Iraq Win for Terror, says PM

Prime Minister John Howard has warned failure in Iraq would hand Terrorists an enormous victory with "far-reaching consequences" for Australia and Democracy.

Branding Iraq a "critical confrontation in the War against Terror", Mr Howard said a retreat or weakening would not appease Terrorists who despised Australia.

He warned retreating would erode the values Australians cherished, such as tolerance, opportunity, security and neighbourly respect.

"Australian withdrawal from Iraq would not buy immunity from Terrorist attacks," he said.

"International Terrorism treats weakness and retreat with contempt."

Mr Howard conceded rebuilding Iraq had been more difficult than expected and refused to give a deadline for withdrawing Australia's 850 troops from the region.

He said it was "impossible to be more precise" than saying troops would leave when their jobs were done.

Mr Howard said international Terrorist Groups such as al-Qaeda had "invested an enormous amount in breaking the will of the Coalition in Iraq".

Installing Democracy in Iraq would be a "heavy blow to the Terrorist cause", he said. The crucial first step was the transfer of power to an interim Iraqi administration on June 30.

"The Terrorists know that if Democracy is installed in Iraq that they have lost," he told the Institute of Public Affairs meeting in Melbourne.

Mr Howard lashed the "appalling abuse" of Iraqi detainees in Abu Ghraib prison, acknowledging that would have caused people in the region to question the value of Democracy.

"It is important these reprehensible actions of a few do not overshadow the careful, disciplined and courageous behaviour of the overwhelming majority of Coalition Forces," he said.

Outside the function, violent scuffles broke out between Police and protesters. Guests were greeted by Fifth Columnists shouting "Troops out - Howard out - End the occupation".

Opposition Leader Mark Latham again cynically played the "Vietnam" card accusing the Government of military adventurism. He called for more humanitarian aid for Iraq.

"I worry that Iraq's becoming more and more like the Vietnam War where a Liberal Government got Australia involved for all the wrong reasons then didn't know how to get us out," he said.

Mr Latham said the national security focus should be closer to home, including internal security and border protection.

Mr Howard used his speech to focus on positives in Iraq which included power production above pre-war levels, more than 15,000 mobile phones sold each week, all universities and 2500 schools re-opened and 240 hospitals and 1200 health clinics operational.

There was no reference to increased Australian troop numbers although the Government announced it would send two unarmed Police trainers to Jordan.


See Also:
The Ethos of Islam
The Left Offers No Solution to Terrorism
Anti-US Brigade Protests Too Much
Why We Fight!
Calling Evil By Its Name
The 'Fifth Column' Exposed!
How to Survive a Terror Attack