Australia hints at Iraq troop withdrawal in a year
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Australia's defence minister believes Canberra could withdraw some of the more than 1,300 troops it has stationed in and around Iraq within a year, according to an interview published Saturday.
Defence Minister Robert Hill told The Weekend Australian newspaper that a contingent of more than 400 troops recently sent to the southern town of Samawah in al-Muthanna province as security for Japanese military engineers working there on humanitarian projects.
"Muthanna ... is significantly growing its own security force in numbers and capability,'' Hill said.
"Unless the unexpected happens, they (the Iraqi security forces) should be able to look after their own security within 12 months.''
Australia has some 1,370 troops in and around Iraq including troops providing security for Australian diplomats in Baghdad, the crew of a naval ship patrolling the Gulf and soldiers training the new Iraqi defense force.
Prime Minister John Howard has been one of the strongest allies of U.S. President George W. Bush's Iraq policy.
He sent elite special forces soldiers to fight in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and has kept troops there ever since.
Australian diplomats and police currently are working in Baghdad to secure the release of an Australian engineer, Douglas Wood, who was taken hostage by militants more than three weeks ago.
The kidnappers have demanded Australia withdraw its troops from Iraq, a condition Howard has refused to meet. - AP
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