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Australian Soldiers Won't Leave Iraq Prematurely, Downer Says
Nov. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Australia won't withdraw its troops from Iraq prematurely, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in response to a new terrorism threat against Australia in a videotape found in Indonesia.
Indonesian police yesterday released a videotape purportedly showing one of the organizers of the 2002 Bali bombings warning of more attacks against western nations, including Australia, because the countries ``suppressed Muslims'' all over the world.
``The video is the latest in a line of terror threats to Australia and won't dictate our foreign policy,'' Downer told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. today. ``A premature withdrawal will lead to so called insurgents or terrorists plunging Iraq into chaos and tyranny.''
Australia has supported the U.S. by sending soldiers to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. Australians have been the target of terrorist attacks in Indonesia, including the Bali bombings that killed at least 202 people, 88 of them Australians.
The person in the video is said to be Noordin Mohammad Top, Indonesia's National Police Chief Sutanto told reporters in Jakarta yesterday. Top, along with Azahari Husin, are the alleged organizers of the Oct. 1, 2002, Bali suicide bombings and other attacks in Indonesia.
``Beware, we are going to attack the interests of the U.S., Australia, U.K. and Italy, because these countries have suppressed Muslims all over the world,'' the masked man said in the recording, according to Indonesian police.
Security Alert
``This is another example of the threats that have been made by terrorists against Australia,'' Downer told ABC. ``We're vigilant, but I don't think there's a case for changing our terror alert level.''
Indonesian police on Nov. 9 raided Top's house in Semarang simultaneously with a house where Azahari was staying in Batu, in East Java. Azahari was killed in the raid, while Top escaped.
Australia and the U.S. want to see the number of troops ``downgraded'' in Iraq, even though they are still concerned about terrorism and the insurgency there, Downer said after meeting U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld yesterday in Adelaide, South Australia.
Their discussions took place before today's 20th AusMin meeting in the city. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick and Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill are also attending today's meeting.
``We and the Americans agree the democratic process has been working well in Iraq, although we are still concerned about the strength of terrorism and the insurgency there,'' Downer told Nine Network television's Today Show. ``We are staying there to provide security so that the democratic process can work and survive.''
Rehabilitation
Australia has 1,320 troops in the Middle East as part of Operation Catalyst, the rehabilitation of Iraq. The U.S. now has about 160,000 troops in the region.
``The timing of the withdrawal depends upon how quickly the Iraqi security forces are able to take responsibility for security,'' Downer said.
U.S. President George W. Bush has ordered an upgrade of Australia's access to U.S. intelligence, the Australian newspaper reported today, citing an interview with Rumsfeld.
Bush is ``determined we find ways to cooperate with Australia in intelligence-sharing at a new level,'' Rumsfeld told the newspaper. ``And we are doing so.''
Increased cooperation is taking place in counter-terrorism, countering the spread of weapons of mass destruction and in joint U.S./Australian military operations such as Iraq and Afghanistan, the newspaper said, citing unidentified Australian defense officials.
