Fed: Australia under pressure for continued role in Iraq

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2007
Fed: Australia under pressure for continued role in Iraq

SYDNEY, Aug 22 AAP - An incoming US Democratic president would look to Australia to
keep it's troops in Iraq as long as possible, say advisers to the leading candidates
Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama.

Australian military help would also be welcomed by a Democratic administration.

Michele Flournoy, who was a defence strategist in former president Bill Clinton's administration
and has advised Hilary Clinton - the current frontrunner for the party's presidential
nomination in 2008 - said a Democratic administration would welcome help in training Iraqi
troops in riskier deployments than their current duties.

Ms Flournoy, the president of the Centre for a New American Security in Washington,
has told Fairfax that "any Democrat president will see Australia as an indispensable ally
in the Asia-Pacific and even more so globally".

She said of the Iraq venture: "A Democrat administration would want Australia to stay
as long as it could manage to do so, stay by our side".

Susan Rice, an informal adviser to Senator Obama on foreign policy, called for Australia
to stand with the US in its efforts around the world.

"Australia is a strong, longstanding and highly valued ally, Dr Rice, a former former
Clinton staffer, said.

"I kinda wish Australia would look at the world from a less Asia-centric point of view.

"We may have to ask for more help (from Australia) but I hope it won't be going to
war - it will be in other ways."

AAP krc/it

KEYWORD: DEMOCRAT

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.