Australian troops end combat mission in Iraq and are withdrawing from the country

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.ae/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2008/June/focusoniraq_June10.xml§ion=focusoniraq

1 June 2008

SYDNEY - Australian troops ended their combat mission in Iraq on Sunday and are withdrawing from the country, Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said.

The 550-strong force will leave their base in southern Iraq, fulfilling a promise made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd ahead of his election last November to bring troops home from the conflict by mid-year.

‘The Overwatch Battle Group and the Australian army training team formally ceased operations at a ceremony at Camp Terendak at Tallil,’ the Australian Defence Force said in a statement.

In Iraq, local governor Aziz Kadoum Alwan said the soldiers left Dhi Qar and Muthanna provinces after a flag-lowering ceremony.

[nebula]

1. Thank God for PM Rudd

did exactly what he said he would do. imagine an American politician doing that.

[Canuckistanian]

2. Well, "the surge is working", so why not?

Besides, Australia is never going to see any of that oil.

[countryjake]

3. kick

[Disturbed]

4. Did the Busholini Regime stop paying the Aussies?

Did the checks bounce?

[Random_Australian]

5. No, we changed governments from RW to LW.

We're outta there!

[countryjake]

6. No, people there are outraged over the price of petrol...

some saying this withdrawal is a form of distraction from the real issues facing Australians. A kind of "appeasement" to the angry masses, who have opposed Australia's participation in the Occupation all along.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/02/2261831.htm


At any rate, there will still be as many as 800 to 1000 Australian Army personnel left behind in Iraq, for "protection".

[malaise]

7. Bravo OZ

I saw John Howard at the West Indies v OZ cricket match last weekend. He was about ten feet away from us walking up to the OZ dressing room to greet the players. He didn't see my middle finger. I tried. :D

While he and his wife were in Jamaica, thieves in OZ cleaned out their home. When you're out of power in OZ, you're just another citizen.

add.