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Aussie PM: Troops Not Leaving Iraq

Bush may be talking withdrawal, but Howard stands pat

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 4, 2007 1:25 PM CDT
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(Newser) – President Bush arrived in Sydney last night amid speculation he would reduce troop levels in Iraq, but his Australian counterpart dismissed any notion that his country would be withdrawing its forces. Prime Minister John Howard said the idea that Sydney could both pull its 550 troops and still make a significant contribution “begins to stretch credulity.”

No official decision on American troops will be made before September 15, the Sydney Morning Herald reports, when the heavily anticipated surge report premieres—analysts are already predicting it will be upbeat. The President and Condoleezza Rice are Down Under, after a jaunt to Baghdad, to attend an Asian economic forum.

A demonstrator holds a sign denouncing U.S. President George Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard during a small anti-Iraq war protest, Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. Some 200 people gathered to express their opposition to Bush and the Iraq war hours before Bush was to arrive for...
A demonstrator holds a sign denouncing U.S. President George Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard during a small anti-Iraq war protest, Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. Some 200 people...   (Associated Press)
U.S. President George W. Bush, second from right, accompanied by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, right, is greeted by unidentified officials upon his arrival at the Sydney airport Tuesday evening, Sept. 4, 2007, following his unannounced visit to Iraq. Bush meets leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation nations...
U.S. President George W. Bush, second from right, accompanied by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, right, is greeted by unidentified officials upon his arrival at the Sydney airport Tuesday evening,...   (Associated Press)
eekend. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
eekend. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)   (Associated Press)
Activist Shelly Dahl shouts slogans during a protest rally Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007, in Sydney, Australia, against U.S. President George W. Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard. Bush is set to arrive late Tuesday evening in Australia for the Asia Pacific Economic Conference. (AP Photo/David Longstreath)
Activist Shelly Dahl shouts slogans during a protest rally Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007, in Sydney, Australia, against U.S. President George W. Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard. Bush is set to...   (Associated Press)
President Bush, right, accompanied by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, arrive in Sydney, Australia, for the APEC summit, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Bush, right, accompanied by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, arrive in Sydney, Australia, for the APEC summit, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)
President Bush waves upon his arrival in Sydney, Australia, for the APEC summit, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Bush waves upon his arrival in Sydney, Australia, for the APEC summit, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)
Australia's Prime Minister John Howard gestures during a pre-APEC 2007 press conference in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007. Sydney will play host to the 15th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting with leaders from such nations as the USA, Russia, Japan and China attending for the week long event.(AP Photo/Rob...
Australia's Prime Minister John Howard gestures during a pre-APEC 2007 press conference in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007. Sydney will play host to the 15th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting with...   (Associated Press)
Australian Prime Minister John Howard answers a question in his Sydney offices in this April 13, 2006 file photo. Prime Minister Howard said Friday, April 13, 2007, that people with HIV should not be allowed to migrate to Australia, and that the government was investigating whether it could tighten existing...
Australian Prime Minister John Howard answers a question in his Sydney offices in this April 13, 2006 file photo. Prime Minister Howard said Friday, April 13, 2007, that people with HIV should not be...   (Associated Press)
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World • US

 
Australia • Condoleezza Rice • David Petraeus • Ryan Crocker • troop withdrawal • coalition troops • John Howard • Sydney • George W. Bush

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