Australia, UK on same page on Iraq: Downer

Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says the attitude of the British Government towards troop withdrawal from Iraq is identical to that of the Australian Government. British Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected to announce the withdrawal of about a third of British troops from southern Iraq. Mr Downer has told the ABC's 7.30 Report program the British decision is based on an assessment of the changing security conditions in the region. He says any future Australian decision to withdraw troops will be based on the same assessment.

"We believe that withdrawal should be conditions-based, not time-based," Mr Downer said. "When the conditions are right, we can reduce numbers. When conditions are even better and the Iraqi security forces can do the full security job, then there won't be any need for international forces there. "Our point is that there shouldn't be a sudden withdrawal of troops for political reasons, which is what Mr Rudd proposes." Mr Downer says he doubts Mr Blair will announce that the British Government is going to "give up on Iraq" and set a timeline for withdrawal. "Then they [would] just leave regardless of the situation in Iraq at that particular time," he said. "That is essentially the Rudd proposition - sometimes it's the Rudd proposition and that probably is what he fundamentally believes." Exit strategy Earlier today, Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd said Labor's plan was to have a phased withdrawal of all troops from Iraq. "My policy is clear cut - our combat forces should come home and we should not be sending more troops to Iraq," Mr Rudd said. He said Britain's decision left the Federal Government exposed. "The question for Mr Howard is this: If the British now have a withdrawal strategy from Iraq, why doesn't Australia?" he said.

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Gus: Clowner and ratus are poncifooting on the subject like two kangaroos in the middle of the night caught in the headlights of a 4WD... "Squash-boom" is the next sound... Pathetic.