seruriermarshal
05-03-2004, 04:53 AM
Australia sends more troops to Iraq conflict
SYDNEY (AFP) May 03, 2004
Australia has sent a 40-strong specialist army training team to Iraq to help with the training of its new armed forces, Defence Minister Robert Hill said Tuesday.
The training unit, which will be supported and protected by a 13-member security detachment and two additional light armoured vehicles, will bolster the existing Australian contingent of around 850 military personnel.
Australia's continuing participation with 33 other nations in the Iraq theatre is shaping as a crucial issue in the run-up to the election Prime Minister Howard has indicated he will call for October or November.
Howard has vowed to keep Australian troops in Iraq "until their work is done", or as, he said last week, until security has stabilised. But he has promised there would be no substantial increase in troop numbers, although small numbers of specialist personnel could be sent.
His key political rival, opposition leader Mark Latham, has vowed to bring the troops home from Iraq if, as the polls are currently forecasting, his Labor party wins government.
Hill said the latest deployment was a further commitment to supporting the building of the Iraqi Defence Force and was in addition to the Australian sailors helping rebuild the Iraqi navy.
"The training team will be responsible for providing a full training regime, including weapons training, leadership programs and drill procedures, for three Iraqi army battalions and a brigade headquarters staff," Hill said in a statement.
"The professional skills of Australian soldiers are admired and respected around the world. This is a great opportunity for Australian soldiers to pass on these skills to the new Iraqi Army."
He said the instructors were providing a solid foundation of professional military skills on which the Iraqi Defence Force can develop.
Bless Australia ......
http://www.rvi.net/~bparrish/old/white/graphics/jesus.jpg
Allies people will fight , In the world and not only has Muslim religion not to fear death !
SYDNEY (AFP) May 03, 2004
Australia has sent a 40-strong specialist army training team to Iraq to help with the training of its new armed forces, Defence Minister Robert Hill said Tuesday.
The training unit, which will be supported and protected by a 13-member security detachment and two additional light armoured vehicles, will bolster the existing Australian contingent of around 850 military personnel.
Australia's continuing participation with 33 other nations in the Iraq theatre is shaping as a crucial issue in the run-up to the election Prime Minister Howard has indicated he will call for October or November.
Howard has vowed to keep Australian troops in Iraq "until their work is done", or as, he said last week, until security has stabilised. But he has promised there would be no substantial increase in troop numbers, although small numbers of specialist personnel could be sent.
His key political rival, opposition leader Mark Latham, has vowed to bring the troops home from Iraq if, as the polls are currently forecasting, his Labor party wins government.
Hill said the latest deployment was a further commitment to supporting the building of the Iraqi Defence Force and was in addition to the Australian sailors helping rebuild the Iraqi navy.
"The training team will be responsible for providing a full training regime, including weapons training, leadership programs and drill procedures, for three Iraqi army battalions and a brigade headquarters staff," Hill said in a statement.
"The professional skills of Australian soldiers are admired and respected around the world. This is a great opportunity for Australian soldiers to pass on these skills to the new Iraqi Army."
He said the instructors were providing a solid foundation of professional military skills on which the Iraqi Defence Force can develop.
Bless Australia ......
http://www.rvi.net/~bparrish/old/white/graphics/jesus.jpg
Allies people will fight , In the world and not only has Muslim religion not to fear death !