May
21, 2007
CANBERRA, Australia, -- Iraq urged Washington
and incoming British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on
Monday to stand firm against domestic political
pressures and maintain troop numbers in Iraq despite
ongoing militia and insurgent violence.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said progress
was being made in Iraq since the latest security
crackdown began in mid-February, but it was
important there were no signs of weakness with
coalition forces, including those from Australia.
He said Brown, who will take over from Tony Blair as
prime minister in late June, had been a supporter of
the military mission in Iraq and the Iraqi minister
did not expect any significant changes under his
leadership.
"We hope there wouldn't be any changes, or any
dramatic changes. We understand the realities of
British politics," Zebari told reporters at a joint
news conference with Australian Foreign Minister
Alexander Downer in Canberra. |
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari |
|
"The forthcoming Prime Minister Brown has also been
supportive of Iraqi democracy, of the mission, and I
believe it's very important there shouldn't be
weaknesses within the coalition because these are
crucial times."
His comments came after the latest violence in Iraq
killed six U.S. soldiers and an interpreter. More
than 3,400 U.S. soldiers have been killed since the
U.S.-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein in 2003,
including more than 70 so far in May.
Almost 150 British soldiers have also been killed
since 2003.
Blair made his last visit to Iraq as prime minister
on Saturday and said he had no regrets about his
support for the invasion, despite huge opposition in
Britain to the war and to his backing for U.S.
President George W. Bush.
In the United States, Bush is also under growing
pressure from the Democrat-controlled Congress to
spell out a timetable to start withdrawing U.S.
forces from Iraq.
PRESSURES BUILD
Australia has about 1,500 troops in and around Iraq
and the troop deployment will be a major issue at
elections later in the year. The opposition
centre-left Labor Party promises to withdraw
frontline forces if it wins power.
Zebari, in Australia for talks with Downer and Prime
Minister John Howard, said his country was making
"steady and important progress" towards looking
after its own security, but it needed strong
political support.
"We all see the pressures building up in Washington,
in London, in Europe, here," Zebari said. "But I
think this is not the time to cut and run. This is
the time to stand with the people whom you helped
liberate and to assist."
Zebari's visit coincides with a likely Australian
decision on the future of its wheat export system
after an inquiry found monopoly exporter AWB had
paid $222 million in bribes to the former regime of
Saddam Hussein to secure sales.
Zebari said he had discussed Australian wheat
exports at length with Trade Minister Warren Truss,
and said Canberra would be treated fairly over
future wheat deals. "There will be a fair access.
Both the U.S. and you are our partners, our allies.
Definitely our people will look at the merits of
these contracts," Zebari said.
In February 2006 the Iraqi government suspended
wheat imports from AWB while an Australian
government-appointed inquiry looked into the
kickbacks scandal.
The Iraqi Grain Board said the suspension was to be
for the inquiry period. However, findings against
AWB were handed down last November and buying has
not resumed.
A year ago a specially-formed group, Wheat
Australia, struck a single deal to supply Iraq with
350,000 tonnes of wheat, but since then Iraq has
switched to buy U.S. and Canadian wheat.
The Australian government is due to decide on the
future of its wheat export marketing arrangements on
Tuesday.
Reuters
Top |
® 