[Greens-Media] Australia should be talking to Iraqi parliament and U.S. about withdrawal

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

Australia should be talking to Iraqi parliament and U.S. about
withdrawal


13.04.07

Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today called on the Prime Minister to
instigate talks with the Iraqi government and U.S. Administration about
a timeline for troop withdrawal.

"Instead of wheeling out the Defence Minister Brendan Nelson to repeat
tired rhetoric about 'strengthening resolve', the Prime Minister should
show leadership and instigate talks with the Iraqis and U.S. about a
timeline for withdrawal," Senator Nettle said.

"Australia should negotiate a pull out before we are kicked out.

"Even without U.S. support Australia can play a positive role in making
Iraq safer by removing its troops.

"The International Committee of the Red Cross has told us that the
security situation for ordinary Iraqis is getting even worse, a recent
nationwide poll of Iraqis found a majority wanted foreign troops to
leave and the bombing in the parliament building shows the utter failure
of the U.S. led occupation to keep the peace.

"This week key Iraqi cabinet members have threatened to resign if the
Iraqi Prime Minister does not back a timeline for foreign troop
withdrawal. The time is coming when Australia will be kicked out in
circumstances not of our choosing.

"The lesson we should be learning in Iraq is that we cannot impose
western style peace and stability through the barrel of a gun, in fact
heavy handed military operations create rather than cure an environment
of violence.

"The Greens continue to call for the withdrawal of Australian and US
troops from Iraq."


Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146