Australia to redeploy troops in Iraq

The overwatch duties will be a significant change in operations for Australian troops, who are currently providing support for Japanese engineers in a relatively secure part of southern Iraq.
Overwatch was "a support program" that involved "providing covering fire to coalition allies in Iraq."
While numbers of troops assigned to overwatch duties are yet to be agreed, those on the new mission are likely to be operating in more hostile environments than their current posting with the Al-Mutthana Task Group.
"Australian troops have done much more than this before," the minister's spokesman said, "but it is a change for the troops that are there at the moment.

I think Australia has an obligation to assit Iraq in the post Saddam era.
The Australian government hasnt suffered the political fallout from the post war occupation that the Bush admin has. More nations need to be encouraged to send troops to Iraq. Allowing countries outside of the coalition of the willing to bid on reconstruction contracts would be a step in the right direction.


link
SMH

[edit on 14-3-2006 by xpert11]

[edit on 14-3-2006 by xpert11]

good for them. the more help, the better.

Allowing countries within the coalition to bid would be start!