[Greens-Media] 'Leave Iraq' call as warships head for East Timor

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Saturday, 13 May 2006

'Leave Iraq' call as warships head for East Timor

"The colossal blunder of involving Australia in Iraq is highlighted by
neighbourhood tensions in East Timor, West Papua, Bougainville, the
Solomon Islands and Fiji and the strain on Australia's military
capacity, Greens leader Bob Brown said today as two Australian warships
were dispatched towards East Timor.

"Prime Minister Howard should recall our armed services from Iraq,"
Senator Brown said.

"That decision, besides making Australia more prone to terrorist attack,
makes us less able to cover multiple crises in our neighbourhood. 

"The PM should be touring our troubled neighbourhood capitals instead of
more comforting stops in Washington, London and Dublin," Senator Brown
said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603


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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au