The Australian March 17, 2005
Diggers could fill the void as Italy quits Iraq
By John Kerin, Natasha Bita
JOHN Howard has refused to rule out a further commitment of Australian troops to Iraq to help cover a shortfall created by the withdrawal of Italian forces.
Italian President Silvio Berlusconi -- one of US president George W. Bush's closest allies -- yesterday announced Rome would start pulling out its contingent of 3000 combat troops in September amid growing public opposition to the war.
Italy's military contingent is the fourth-biggest among coalition forces after the US, Britain and South Korea.
The Prime Minister told parliament Australia had no plans to increase its contribution to help cover the Italian exodus.
But he said he could not rule out sending more troops in addition to the 450 bound for Al-Muthanna province in southern Iraq next month to guard Japanese engineers.
"I repeat what I said when I made the announcement about the additional 450 (troops) -- we do not have any current plans to increase that number," Mr Howard said.
"But I cannot rule out some changes in the future and I don't intend to do so."
Mr Berlusconi's announcement came just 11 days after public outrage over the killing by US forces in Baghdad of an Italian intelligence agent who was escorting a freed hostage to safety.
He said he had spoken to British Prime Minister Tony Blair about pulling out the troops and the "public opinion of both our countries is expecting this decision".
"We will begin to reduce our contingent in Iraq from September," Mr Berlusconi told public broadcaster RAI.
"It depends on the capacity of the Iraqi Government to provide itself with an acceptable security structure."
The Italian announcement follows similar staged troop-withdrawals planned by Poland, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Holland from the British-controlled area of southern Iraq before the end of the year.
With 3000 Italians, 1700 Poles, 1500 Ukrainians, 1400 Dutch troops -- as well as Polish armoured and Ukraine mechanised divisions -- pulling out of the south, defence analysts warn the exodus will have to be covered by British or Australian troops.
Former deputy defence department secretary Hugh White told The Australian that, given the Italian withdrawal, Britain and the US would undoubtedly again ask Australia for extra troops.
"But I think Mr Howard's been smart by committing the extra 450 troops now, anticipating there will be pressure for more troops later in the year."
British military expert Charles Heyman, a senior defence analyst for Jane's Information Group, said it was likely Britain would be asked to fill the void because the US was already overstretched.
"It's going to leave a big hole ... and I think its almost impossible for the Americans to produce another 3000 extra troops," he said.
Labor's Foreign Affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd asked Mr Howard in parliament whether withdrawing Italian forces from guarding the Talil airbase would increase the risk to Australian troops in southern Iraq.
The Italian contingent is based at Nasiriyah, but some Italian soldiers are protecting an airfield near the area where the 450 Australians are replacing Dutch forces.
Mr Howard said that any increased risk would be assessed. Labor's defence spokesman Robert McClelland said Australia was going against the tide of troop withdrawals. "Countries including Poland, Bulgaria, Ukraine and The Netherlands are getting out -- yet we're going in," he said. "Everyone has an exit strategy but us."
NUMBERS GAME
Top 10 countries with personnel committed to Iraq
US ... 150,000
Britain ... 12,400
South Korea ... 3600
Italy ... 3169*
Poland ... 1700*
Ukraine ... 1450*
Australia ... 1400**
Georgia ... 898
Japan ... 750
Romania ... 730
* Troops to be withdrawn
** Future commitment
Source: www.globalsecurity.org
© Copyright 2005, Nationwide News Pty Limited
