The NEXT coming Oz election thread!

Counter-move:
I honestly can't believe the timing of this announcement.
Does JH think he's playing a chess game?
This man is losing his judgement!:

PM doubles Afghan troops
Patrick Walters, National security editor
February 22, 2007/the AUSTRALIAN

AUSTRALIA is poised to nearly double its military commitment to Afghanistan to about 1000 personnel. Cabinet's national security committee has approved initial planning for the deployment - which includes sending a special forces task group back to Oruzgan province and additional air support - with a Defence team to report back soon on its scope.

The result could be the deployment of up to 450 extra personnel and new capabilities, possibly including Black Hawk helicopters and an air defence radar team.

The security cabinet is expected to sign off on the new commitment next month, pending the results of a reconnaissance mission to Afghanistan.

The plan to commit a new force of up to 250 ground troops - composed of elite SAS and commandos - comes as NATO-led coalition forces face an uphill battle to stabilise Afghanistan and as security in Oruzgan province remains precarious.

The bigger Australian commitment is being studied as British Prime Minister Tony Blair prepares to withdraw up to 3000 troops from southern Iraq and commit an additional army brigade of about 3000 troops in Afghanistan. Denmark is also poised to announce a timetable for the withdrawal of its 470 troops in Iraq.

But John Howard, who on Monday announced plans to send another 70 army instructors to Iraq, said yesterday the British Government's phase-down would not affect Australia's military commitment to Iraq. .... <cont>

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21266476-601,00.html

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Well, I think many Australians will be surprised! And somewhat alarmed!
And read the last sentence of this report.
This government is losing the plot!:

Last Update: Thursday, February 22, 2007. 9:34am (AEDT)

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200507/r52477_140991.jpg

Australia may increase its troop numbers in Afghanistan (file photo). (Department of Defence)

Aust to review Afghanistan troop commitment

Australia will send a small group of military officials to Afghanistan to assess whether more troops need to be deployed to the Oruzgan province.

Defence Minister Dr Brendan Nelson says the Government is very concerned about the activities of Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

He says the Government is worried the Taliban is reorganising in the province and says troops will face a Taliban offensive in the Spring.

He says the United States has increased its troop numbers in eastern Afghanistan.

Dr Nelson has told ABC Radio's AM program he recently spoke to the other seven defence ministers who have troops in southern Afghanistan.

"No Australian should be surprised. In fact I would like to think they would support it ... The people who murdered 100 Australians in Bali trained in this place with these people and that's why we're there," he said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200702/s1853807.htm

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Howard strategy to exit only with Bush
ANALYSIS
Patrick Walters
February 22, 2007/the AUSTRALIAN

....A partial British troop draw-down will be portrayed by Blair as a sign of progress in Iraq and a partial political vindication.

But unlike Blair, who will probably step down from office this year, Howard has no intention of pulling out any Australian forces. While all the signs point to a strategic defeat for the US in Iraq, the Australian PM remains firmly in step with Bush.

Both leaders share the view that the war can still be won and that the coalition must be prepared to stay on and stabilise the country.

While Bush is President, the US will remain in Iraq and no timetable will be set for a military withdrawal.

Howard sees Australia's Iraq commitment as a test of the alliance with Washington. While he remains in office, Australia will not significantly increase its military contribution but nor will it quit the country. Any further troop commitment by Australia will likely take place in Afghanistan rather than Iraq.

The strong and steady message from Howard, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Nelson is that the coalition cannot afford to lose in Iraq.

Rudd strongly opposes any idea more troops could help victory in Iraq and argues that benchmarks should be set for their withdrawal - a position the Government seeks to cast as a surrender to terrorism.

Listen to Downer this week: "If there is surrender in Iraq. I think that will be an enormous threat to security in Southeast Asia. It will give terrorism around the world an absolutely extraordinary boost and I think that will be a great threat to Australian security."

Iraq now promises to become one of the most divisive and bitter political debates in the run-up to the election.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21266535-601,00.html

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Dick Cheney is about to arrive in Oz for talks.
OMG, what will the Libs agree to? Shocked

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Good morning, Aus: The spin control from the White House after Blair announced a nearly 50% reduction in force level in Iraq is fascinating.
The UK (and Danish) withdrawal indicates a "victory." It means that they accomplished their mission. But a US drawdown would represent a "defeat."

Watch out for Afghanistan. The UK troops are redeploying there, as are some US and Aussies. (One of the tenants in my little townhouse project-a Navy officer- went over there last week. A Navy officer in Afghanistan?)

The Taliban is regrouping there and there is a lot of sabre-rattling going on with Iran. Another US aircraft carrier group has been posted to the Gulf. (Navy---hmm).

(On another note, msolga et al, how is the summer in Aus? Continued drought? Here in Virginia it has been relatively mild and dry. That does not seem to bode well for our summer). -johnboy

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This is my spin on what's happening (of course it's just a guess, but I'd put odds on it).

Howard hasn't lost the plot on this one.

Reports a while back said that Australia's defence forces were stretched to the limit. Where then is Howard going to find the extra troops he is committing to Afghanistan?

I'll put my money on the bet that Cheney asks Howard to shift Australian Troops to Iraq for 'Strategic Purposes - in the interests of the Broader war on terror'

And Howard believes he will look like he's had magical forsight, having already anounced his intention to increase numbers in Iraq.

This gives Howard an 'honourable' way out of the political predicament he is currently in...and because he's already announced the move, no one can accuse him of pandering to the Americans (of course, almost without doubt the Americans have already asked Lil Johnny to do this).

edit : RJB The drought is still ongoing around the major cities. Funnily enough it's been flooding off the NE Coast of Australia, and the NW Coast has been really wet for the last year. The biggest dam in Australia, the Burdekin Dam in North Queensland (NE Australia), had as much water go over it's spillway in 24 hours, as Brisbane (Aust. 3rd largest city) has left in it's major water supply (that is, about 380,000 million litres went over the spillway - the spillway looks like it's over 100 metres long and the water was 4 metres over the spillway)

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Article ostensibly on Prince Harry, but contains the two following, rather fascinating quotes :

Quote:

Facing calls from MPs to take responsibility for the chaos that followed the invasion, Mr Blair declared that terrorism would be defeated "when we do not apologise for our values but stand up for them".

Quote:

"The ability of al-Qa'ida and other terrorist organisations to use Iraq as a battleground was only possible because of the decision that you took and President Bush took to invade that country."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21268216-601,00.html

The Brittish response is looking more and more tricky for Howard by the minute.

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vikorr wrote:

This is my spin on what's happening (of course it's just a guess, but I'd put odds on it).

Howard hasn't lost the plot on this one.

Reports a while back said that Australia's defence forces were stretched to the limit. Where then is Howard going to find the extra troops he is committing to Afghanistan?

I'll put my money on the bet that Cheney asks Howard to shift Australian Troops to Iraq for 'Strategic Purposes - in the interests of the Broader war on terror'

And Howard believes he will look like he's had magical forsight, having already anounced his intention to increase numbers in Iraq.

This gives Howard an 'honourable' way out of the political predicament he is currently in...and because he's already announced the move, no one can accuse him of pandering to the Americans (of course, almost without doubt the Americans have already asked Lil Johnny to do this).

Good morning from rainy Melbourne ( Surprised

), vikorr!

It is really hard to know quite what Howard & crew are up to in regard to Iraq & Afghanistan. The Libs been so contradictory. I mean the Obama hysterics about possible US withdrawal, followed by the acceptance of the withdrawal British of British troops. (Of course he knew & approved all along. I don't think so!) And then the sudden rediscovery of Afghanistan! Not just by JH, of course, but I can't remember the last time he mentioned Afghanistan as some sort of major concern.Call me cynical, but I see it as JH face saving. AND falling into line with the next lot of US/British plans.

But wasn't it amazing, the flip-flopping from Howard, Downer & Nelson following the British announcement? They were so out of sync with each other, saying such different things! (No doubt Cheney is setting them straight on The New Correct Line as I type! Expect a unified front soon! Laughing

)

My favourite Lib comments so far have come from Brendan Nelson, liking the Iraq fiasco to WW11 & the Oz battlers in Iraq to the heroic diggers fighting on the Kokoda Trail! Surprised

:

http://network.news.com.au/image/0,10114,5398633,00.jpg

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But the cartoonists have had a lot of fun, though. Those rotten, cowardly Danes!:

http://network.news.com.au/image/0,10114,5397223,00.jpg

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http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/02/23/240207_editoon_gallery__470x238,0.jpg

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Moir's comment on that unfortunate Obama outburst:

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/02/13/1402moirtoon_gallery__432x400,0.jpg

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Cheney's visit to Oz. (Almost over, thank god!):

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/02/19/cm2002tandberg_gallery__470x341,0.jpg

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I love this one. :

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/02/22/cm2302LeunigToon_gallery__470x332,0.jpg

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Good morning, RJB

In answer to your question about the Oz drought, yes it has indeed continued. Along with a hearty dose of climate change! Baking gardens, water restrictions (very stringent in some country areas), etc. We are so water conscious! How to save more of it? How to cut down domestic usage? Should we accept recycle (sewerage) water for households? Radio talkback is filled with such discussions. In the meantime politicians are finally catching up with the seriousness of the situation (It is an election year!) & are falling over themselves to announce schemes & plans to finally address the situation. More later on this!

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Quote:

But wasn't it amazing, the flip-flopping from Howard, Downer & Nelson following the British announcement? They were so out of sync with each other, saying such different things!

From what I hear, Blair is in danger of being outed (or maybe he's already indicated he will resign, I can't remember). So this appears to have just been internal UK politics at work.

Quote:

My favourite Lib comments so far have come from Brendan Nelson, liking the Iraq fiasco to WW11 & the Oz battlers in Iraq to the heroic diggers fighting on the Kokoda Trail!

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vikorr wrote:

Quote:
My favourite Lib comments so far have come from Brendan Nelson, liking the Iraq fiasco to WW11 & the Oz battlers in Iraq to the heroic diggers fighting on the Kokoda Trail!

Don't you just hate it when you're quoted saying words like this?
Likened msolga, likened!
I'm making boo boos like this all the time!
Embarrassing, that's what it is! Embarrassed

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vikorr wrote:

Quote:
But wasn't it amazing, the flip-flopping from Howard, Downer & Nelson following the British announcement? They were so out of sync with each other, saying such different things!

From what I hear, Blair is in danger of being outed (or maybe he's already indicated he will resign, I can't remember). So this appears to have just been internal UK politics at work.

I believe he's already indicated that he's on the way out, vikorr. But does he mean it? But I don't know that UK politics has all that much influence on Oz. We have different masters here. :wink:

Quote:

They're grasping at straws, obviously.
Aussie aussie, oy oy oy! Rolling Eyes

That's how desperate (& patronizing!) the Libs can are when in a squeeze!

Yes, the cartoons, vikorr!
I love these guys!
What they can (sometimes) get away with, by using pictures & not words, sometimes amazes me!
Long may they flourish! Very Happy

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Do city folk care at all about the hold out for more cash position taken by Steve Bracks on The Murray Darling proposal?

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dadpad

As a "city person", I do care about the fate of the Murray/Darling.

I'd be very interested in your assessment of the (Howard & Bracks) solutions on offer.

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http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/02/26/svCARTOON_gallery__470x337.jpg

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The NEXT coming Oz election thread!

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