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| Aussie troops out of Iraq next year | |
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| Topic Started: Dec 18 2008, 07:12 AM (81 Views) | |
| Sayf Udeen Ismaeel | Dec 18 2008, 07:12 AM Post #1 |
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Aussie troops out of Iraq next year AUSTRALIAN troops look set to leave Iraq by the middle of next year after the Iraqi Government set a deadline for the exit of all non-US foreign forces from the battle-scarred nation. The new timetable applies to all coalition partners except the United States, which has a separate agreement to withdraw its forces by 2011. But it remains unclear what will happen to Australian forces in the interim, with the United Nations mandate under which they operate due to expire within a fortnight. Australia, Britain and other coalition partners have been negotiating with Iraq over ways to legally keep forces in the country once the mandate expires at the end of the year. Foreign Minister Stephen Smith today said Australia was continuing to consult Iraq over a status of forces agreement, which would provide a legal framework for diggers to remain in the country. "There is not much time left but we're working very closely with (the Iraqi Government) and we hope to bring that matter to a conclusion in the next few days or week or so," Mr Smith said. "I've spoken to my Iraqi counterpart, making the point that a status of forces agreement or protections for the remaining forces in Iraq is very important to Australia and we're seeking to resolve that to our satisfaction." Even if the issue is resolved, it appears Australian troops won't be in Iraq for too much longer. The Iraqi cabinet overnight approved draft laws, which still have to be ratified by the parliament, to have all non-US forces out of the country by July. "The cabinet has approved draft legislation on the withdrawal of non-US forces in the coalition," said Hummam Hammudi, chairman of parliament's foreign affairs committee. "It sets a timetable for a withdrawal of between five and seven months from January 1." Australia plans to continue its rebuilding work in Iraq even if its military role is downgraded. Australia has about 980 troops based in Iraq and around the Middle East. The exact number of troops affected by the Iraqi decision is unclear. Australia's main combat forces left Iraq earlier this year. A Defence Department spokeswoman said that contingency planning had taken place to deal with "a range of possible outcomes" related to Australia's military commitment http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24814642-29277,00.html |
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4:06 PM Dec 7
