Posted on 01/08/2006 10:32:02 PM PST by Dundee
Aussie forces stay on
THE decision by the US to pull 29,000 troops out of Iraq will have little effect on Australia's own plans to reduce its military commitments in the war-torn country.
US President George W. Bush announced this week that about 7000 US combat troops were being withdrawn from a base force of 138,000, reducing troop strength in the country by about 5per cent.
The withdrawal is in addition to 22,000 troops who were sent to Iraq last year, specifically to bolster security for two elections.
The US is also cutting its force in Afghanistan by a further 3500 troops as Australia is expected to increase its contribution by sending a 200-strong provincial reconstruction team to southern Afghanistan.
NATO is to expand its forces in Afghanistan to 16,000, freeing up US forces to take on the Taliban and al-Qa'ida fighters in the mountainous border regions with Pakistan, where most are hiding. But while NATO countries Canada and Britain have announced they will commit up to 2000 troops each to the force, Canberra is waiting for a decision by the Dutch Government on the size of its contingent, which will provide support for the Australian team.
Australia has 1320 troops in the Iraq theatre, including 450 troops at Al-Muthanna in the south protecting Japanese engineers and training Iraqis.
WAY too cold for your average Aussie.
California would be much closer to what we Aussies are used to.
Stuff 90% of politicians, I am not talking about them.
I love real Australians.
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