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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Australia in Iraq troops pledge | Australia in Iraq troops pledge |
| (about 23 hours later) | |
| Australian troops will remain in Iraq until Iraqis are able to take control of their own security, Australian Prime Minister John Howard has said. | |
| Speaking on a surprise visit to Baghdad, Mr Howard refused to be drawn on when Australia's roughly 1,500 troops would be withdrawn. | Speaking on a surprise visit to Baghdad, Mr Howard refused to be drawn on when Australia's roughly 1,500 troops would be withdrawn. |
| Mr Howard has been one of US President George W Bush's staunchest allies in Iraq since the US-led invasion of 2003. | Mr Howard has been one of US President George W Bush's staunchest allies in Iraq since the US-led invasion of 2003. |
| He has however faced growing opposition among Australians to the conflict. | He has however faced growing opposition among Australians to the conflict. |
| As Mr Howard visited Iraq, hundreds of people in Australia demonstrated against the conflict, part of an international day of protests to mark the fourth anniversary of the invasion. | As Mr Howard visited Iraq, hundreds of people in Australia demonstrated against the conflict, part of an international day of protests to mark the fourth anniversary of the invasion. |
| The aircraft taking the prime minister to Baghdad had to make an emergency landing in southern Iraq after the cabin filled with smoke. | The aircraft taking the prime minister to Baghdad had to make an emergency landing in southern Iraq after the cabin filled with smoke. |
| Mr Howard, who was unhurt, continued his journey in a different plane. | Mr Howard, who was unhurt, continued his journey in a different plane. |
| The cause of incident is being investigated. | The cause of incident is being investigated. |
| Future security | Future security |
| At a joint news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, Mr Howard said Australia was committed to helping Iraq restore security. | At a joint news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, Mr Howard said Australia was committed to helping Iraq restore security. |
| "I have... told the prime minister that Australia will continue its presence in Iraq to assist in bringing about a situation where the Iraqi people are reasonably able to provide for their own future and for their own security," he said. | "I have... told the prime minister that Australia will continue its presence in Iraq to assist in bringing about a situation where the Iraqi people are reasonably able to provide for their own future and for their own security," he said. |
| "We both agreed that the future lies in collaboration between improved security and reconciliation in the political process." | "We both agreed that the future lies in collaboration between improved security and reconciliation in the political process." |
| Mr Howard refused to be drawn on a timetable for the withdrawal of Australian troops. | Mr Howard refused to be drawn on a timetable for the withdrawal of Australian troops. |
| "Great progress has been achieved, but there is still work to be done," he said. | "Great progress has been achieved, but there is still work to be done," he said. |
| "As you know, I don't set speculative dates. There is nothing to be achieved by that." | "As you know, I don't set speculative dates. There is nothing to be achieved by that." |
| About 2,000 Australian troops joined in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, sparking the biggest anti-war protests in the country since the Vietnam war. | About 2,000 Australian troops joined in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, sparking the biggest anti-war protests in the country since the Vietnam war. |
| Most of its forces are based in southern Iraq, along with British units. | Most of its forces are based in southern Iraq, along with British units. |