Australia PM: Troops Won't Leave Iraq Soon

Australia troops will still have a role in Iraq after foreign forces hand over security to Iraqi forces in the country's south, Prime Minister John Howard said Sunday, indicating his country's troops would not be brought home soon.

Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Salam Zikam Ali al-Zubaie said on Friday that Iraq has an agreement to take over security responsibilities from Japanese, Australian and British troops in southern Iraq this month.

About 460 Australian troops are providing security for the Japanese contingent of 600 in Iraq's southern Muthanna province. In total, Australia has about 1,320 troops in Iraq and the Middle East.

Howard said handing over security responsibility to Iraqi forces did not mean Australian troops' duties there were completed.

"It doesn't put them out of a job because coalition forces are needed as a backup to the Iraqi security forces in those areas where the Iraqi security forces are taking over," Howard told the Nine Network.

"It is very shortsighted to go from a situation where the principal security responsibility is being carried by the coalition force to a position where there is no involvement of the coalition forces," he added. "To jump from primary responsibility to no responsibility would be to risk a smooth transition to what we all want, and that is a position where the Iraqis can look after themselves."

Defense Minister Brendan Nelson last week restated the government's position that Australian troops would stay in Iraq as long as they were needed.

Three Cheers for Australia!

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks. A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia at a special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, he and his ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown.

Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted that

some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state and its laws were made by parliament."If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you," he said on national television. "I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia, one the Australian law and

another the Islamic law, that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy and would prefer Sharia law and have the opportunity to go to another country which practices it, perhaps, then, that's a better option," Costello said.

Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave, he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to the other country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told reporters that Muslims who did

not want to accept local values should "clear off." "Basically, people who don't want to be Australians and don't want to live by Australian values and understand them, well, then, they can basically clear off," he said.

Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.
AMERICA and CANADA..... ARE YOU LISTENING?
After hearing that the State of South Australia changed its opinion and

let a Muslim woman have her picture on her driver's license with her face covered, prompted this editorial written by an Australian and published in an Australian newspaper.

Quote: " IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT.

Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.

However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration,

nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia.
However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to
our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.

This idea of Australia being a multicultural community has served only
to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Australians, we
have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle.

This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials
and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.
We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese,
Japanese, Russian, or any other language.Therefore, if you wish to
become part of our society, learn the language!
Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, rightwing,

political push but a fact because Christian men and women, on Christian
principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is
certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God
offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as

your new home, because God is part of our culture.
We will accept your beliefs and will not question why. All we ask is
that you accept ours and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us. If

the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like "A Fair Go," then you
should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet.
We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we

really don't care how you did things where you came from. By all means,
keep your culture but do not force it on others.
This is OUR country, OUR land and OUR lifestyle, and we will allow you
every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining,

whining and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge,OurChristian beliefs or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantageof one other
great Australian freedom, "THE RIGHT TO LEAVE!"
If you aren't happy here, then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come
here.You asked to be here. So, accept the country that accepted YOU!

Thank you!

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