Australia's Contibution to Iraq
Just how willing is Australia as a contibutor to the Iraq rebuilding effort?
Well, a quick look at the Department of Defence web site shows there are 850 personnel in the Middle East. A rough breakdown is:
175 on a naval frigate;
150 servicing two transport aircraft (not in Iraq);
160 servicing two Orion surveylance aircraft (not in Iraq);
An undisclosed number at the Joint Taskfore Headquarters.
Those actually in Iraq consist of:
65 air traffic controllers at Baghdad airport;
90 security personnel to guard the embassy and protect Australian interests;
15 analysts looking for non existant WMDs;
12 RAN sailors training Iraqi sailors;
53 army training personel.
90 logistics and communications personel.
Various odds and sods at Coalition Headquarters.
The only essential people are the 90 security personel. The rest could go tomorrow without making one bit of difference to the situation. The US has about 150,000 troops in Iraq.
This handful is what all the argument is about.
The Australian government position is that we won't 'cut and run.' However, Australia has already 'cut and run.' It happened right after Baghdad fell, when John Howard reduced our involvement by withdrawing our combat forces.
Strangely, Howard decided to send more troops soon after Mark Latham stated that the ALP would bring the troops home by Christmas if they won the coming election. No doubt he sees the ALP policy as a winner for him.
I expect that this wouldn't have been an issue except for the ALP's stance. Our involvement would have reduced at a steady rate over the coming months. America only needs us there to give an air of global support for their misguided adventure.
They can't come back too soon. We need them here to control terrorism.
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Remember also that the 90 security personnel have been slated by Minister Hill to be replaced by private contractors - so no personnel is needed in Iraq.
Remember also that the 90 security personnel have been slated by Minister Hill to be replaced by private contractors - so no personnel is needed in Iraq.