Rudd visits Iraqi PM ( Australian PM tells troops they're going home)

[Swagman]

Source: the Sydney Morning Herald

December 22, 2007 - 9:04AM

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, on a surprise visit to Baghdad today, assured Iraq of a long-term partnership but stressed his combat troops deployed here would head home by June next year.

"Earlier today I visited Australian battle group in Talil (southern Iraq) and spoke directly to what is a fine body of men and women,'' Mr Rudd told a Baghdad news conference with his counterpart, Nouri al-Maliki.

"That battle group will come to a conclusion as of June next year. And that will be the last battle group we deploy.''

Mr Rudd, on his second visit to Baghdad, was elected on a promise that he would pull out the 550 troops deployed in Iraq along with the British forces in the south of the country.

Mr Rudd spoke today of long-term bilateral relations with Iraq.

"Australia will continue to support our friends in Iraq through navy deployment in the Gulf to assist in long-term security of Iraqi exports,'' he said.

Australia would also continue training Iraqi soldiers and police in Australia or in neighbouring Jordan, he said.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/rudd-visits-iraqi-pm/2007/12/21/1198175344087.html

---

In power for just under one month and new PM Kevin Rudd is keeping his election promises-# troops to be out of Iraq,## Kyoto Protocol signed,## puntive and restrictive work practices scrapped,## hundreds of millions of $$$ poured into Medicare-(socialised medecine that terrifies drug companies),## Indian Dr Haneef- jailed indefinitely by federal police because he was a cousin to the Glasgow bomber, slandered on false eveidence and then deported when a court found he was innocent-now given back his work visa to return and work as doctor in Brisbane.

In other words-the entire awful history of John Howard is being wiped out.

[Lasher]

1. Wish we had a president just like him in the states.

:(

[Swagman]

2. forgot : has talked Japan into sparing humpback whales..

and he's a Christian..but a REAL Christian

## forgive my terrible spelling in original message !!

[Swagman]

3. Medicare was the socialised hospital system that Hillary Clinton

(when Bill Clinton was first elected to the White House) set out to investigate as it's regarded as the ideal model. That's when the right wing knives came out for her and Bill. Whitewater..the lot..all to kill off Hillary's plans. It worked. Don't let it happen a second time.

[pleah]

4. How refreshing, someone who stands by their word.