Australia's opposition promises to bring troops home from Iraq

[Nambe]

Wire reports

SYDNEY — The opposition Labour Party on Monday renewed its pledge to withdraw Australian troops from Iraq if it wins the Oct 9 election, setting relations with ally Washington at the center of the election campaign.

Australia's conservative prime minister, John Howard, contributed 2,000 soldiers to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq last year and about 850 Australian troops remain in the area. ..

Labour Party leader Mark Latham opposed the war and drew a sharp rebuke from U.S. President George W Bush earlier this year for vowing to withdraw the Australian contingent from Iraq by Christmas, something Bush said would be "disastrous."

Latham reaffirmed Monday that Labour stood by the Christmas pullout target, but said a Labour government would continue to aid the reconstruction of Iraq through the United Nations.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. Can they win?

[physioex]

2. Good for Australia....

It think their troops belong back home....To bad our politicians can't say the same for ours.....

[LauraK]

3. Every vote counts in Australia. If howard wins, he will lose power.

There is no doubt he will be severly weakened in this contest.

[EST]

4. Amazing

Everybody else in the whole d***world gotta show us how it's done...

[oioioi]

5. significant indicator on US election

This appears to suggest that both Australian parties expect Kerry win in November.

I was under the impression that Howard could have waited until after US elections, but chose to go for Australian federal election in Oct.

I doubt that this kind of talk would be sprung by the ALP (Latham) unless the back room was pretty sure about the numbers.

[soaky]

6. true

howard could have called an election anytime from a few months ago till march next year.

i think he called it now to try and fend off any further senate inquiries into his past behaviour/statements etc, especially in regard to the whole children overboard affair.

The troops home by christmas pledge was one of latham's first upon becoming leader this year.

[Chovexani]

7. Throw the bastard out, Aussies!

Show us yanks what democracy looks like. :)