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Prime Minister John Howard has admitted he has no intention of bolstering the number of Australian troops in Iraq even though the United States is considering boosting its forces.
“I don't have any plans at present to increase Australia's troop commitment, nor do I have any plans to reduce it,” said Howard, one of US President George W. Bush's staunchest allies in the troubled war in Iraq.
Australia would be notified if Bush decides to send more troops but that does not mean Canberra would follow suit, Howard told Channel Nine television.
“What the situation is at the next election will depend on conditions in Iraq, and the one thing we won't do is be part of any withdrawal which hands victory to the terrorists,” he said.
But Howard, who has come under criticism for his unwavering support of Bush, conceded that Australia was reliant on the United States and said it is important that the alliance continues.
“People are critical of America and their President Bush, but in the end our futures are linked and the strength and power of America is important to us — especially in this part of the world,” he said.
Howard has repeatedly refused to withdraw Australian troops from Iraq despite the spiralling violence and weakening US popular support for the war.
Australia joined the US-led invasion in 2003 and still has around 1,300 troops involved in operations in the area.
