Greens, Dems slap Iraq troop plan

[cal04]

PRIME Minister John Howard misled voters at the last election by letting them believe Australia's involvement in Iraq would be scaled down, Greens Senator Bob Brown said today.

The Australian Democrats said Australia should be planning to get troops out of Iraq, rather than send more. Democrats deputy leader Senator Andrew Bartlett said that while aid workers needed protection, he had serious concerns about the move today to send more troops.

"This is John Howard indicating if other countries withdraw then (US President) George (W) Bush, give me a call." Senator Brown, in Perth for Senate hearings into the Iraq's wheat debts, said the move was both terrible and outrageous. Mr Howard should not use Australian troops to compensate for independent decisions by other countries to withdraw from Iraq, he said.

"John Howard never told voters he would be sending 450 more troops to Iraq, never indicated that in the election campaign," he said. "He effectively misled the Australian electorate on this issue and it is a huge mistake for Australia." "We understand there is a certain amount of 'You broke it, you fix it' for countries such as Australia that were part of the coalition of the willing," Senator Bartlett said.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,12336084%255E1702,00.html

Labor opposes Iraq troop plan
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,12336461%255E1702,00.html

[Cha]

1. Oh, is that how john howard

got back in?

[Erika]

2. Why are coalition members deserting us?

Why must our kids bear the burden. See at www.icasualties.org