Fed: Fighting troops coming home as plea for more to be rejected
By Don Woolford
CANBERRA, April 17 AAP - Australia's sharp-end troops will lead an exodus from Iraqnext month as the federal government prepares to reject a coalition request to send abattalion of peacekeepers to the shattered country.
However, about one-third of Australia's 2,000-strong contingent will remain to helpwith Iraq's post-war reconstruction.
Prime Minister John Howard and Defence Minister Robert Hill today announced a broadtimetable for the withdrawal of the bulk of the troops before the end of June.
Among the first out will be the pilots and support staff for Australia's 14 F/A-18Hornets, which have been flying daily combat missions since the war started, and the SAS,whose troops have been operating deep inside Iraq from the beginning.
Mr Howard said he did not want units at the sharp end of the conflict to stay longerthan was essential.
"Their task was specific and precise and they've done it well," he said.
The timetable was announced as the government sent mixed signals about the nature ofa request for a 1,000-strong infantry battalion of peacekeepers.
"That (report of the request) is based I think on some inquiries that have been madeon a sort of military departmental level," Mr Howard said.
He hadn't been approached by President George W Bush, Senator Hill had not been approachedby US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and he was not aware of Foreign Minister AlexanderDowner being approached by the Americans or British.
However Senator Hill's spokeswoman said the government had received a request for infantry,although she would not say by who or to whom.
Defence spokesman Brigadier Mike Hannan said: "I can confirm that there has been aformal request made."
Whatever the status of the request, government and ADF sources said it would be rejected.
The sources said the government would stick to its policy of only providing "niche"
specialists, like the weapons inspectors and air traffic controllers it promised earlierin the week.
Mr Howard virtually ruled out sending infantry when he said: "It's one thing to havea short, sharp, highly professional, highly effective contribution when it's really hot.
"It's another thing to have a very long commitment of a large number of regulars."
Under the withdrawal timetable the Hornets' 250 pilots and support crew and the SASand some of its support group, also totalling about 250, will pull out around the middleof May.
As previously announced, the frigates Anzac and Darwin, with 600 personnel, will beon their way home by then.
They will be followed around the end of May by the 25 clearance divers.
The transport ship Kanimbla, with 350 sailors and soldiers aboard, is due home in June.
That will leave the frigate Sydney, which is now on its way to the Gulf with a complementof about 160, an army commando task group of about 250, around 100 personnel for two C130Hercules and P-3C Orions, specialist weapons of mass destruction troops and a reducedheadquarters and logistical team.
Mr Howard said he did not know how long they would stay.
Opposition Leader Simon Crean accused Mr Howard of failing to tell Australians thatthe country would be responsible under the Geneva Convention for helping to keep the peace.
Mr Crean said Mr Howard should ensure the United Nations took control of Iraq's reconstructionand contribute peacekeepers under UN mandate.
Australian Democrats leader Andrew Bartlett said the government should bring all combattroops home, while contributing to peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts.
Australian troops were winding down today as the war drew to a close.
Brigadier Hannan said the Hornets flew reduced missions, some of the SAS were doingroutine maintenance and the Anzac was on rest and replenishment.
However the divers continued to clear explosives from a sunken Iraqi patrol boat nearthe port of Umm Qasr.
AAP dw/sb/was/de
KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST NIGHTLEAD
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