Australia wants to withdraw troops from Aghanistan

[lovuian]

http://english.pravda.ru/world/australia/22-10-2009/110070-australia-0

Australian Prime Minister John Faulkner stated that his government was about to make a decision about the withdrawal of Australian military men from Afghanistan.






This initiative shows that the international military contingent, which the United States attracted for its Enduring Freedom Operation, is about to end its existence. It seems that there is no unity in the coalition.

Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay said in August 2009 that Ottawa was not going to leave its contingent in Afghanistan after 2011, even if other NATO allies asked the nation to do so. The Canadian authorities, the minister said, were concerned about the losses of its servicemen in the war-torn nation.

Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi said in September of this year that he would like his men to return back home from Afghanistan. The majority of Italians strictly condemn their nation’s military presence in Afghanistan.

more...

Canada Australia and Italy
all leaving afghanistan

[akbacchus_BC]

1. Australia is smart, Americans were stupid to even venture there!

[akbacchus_BC]

2. Canada, should not have supported the US to invade Afghanistan.

Guess you reap what you sow! Get the fuck out of Iraq and Afghanistan!

[Oregone]

3. Good for them.

I hope Canada leaves too. I have a feeling staying will be the price paid for a Buy American exemption

[obliviously]

4. If we leave now we can avoid the traffic jam in the parking lot!

[depakid]

5. "Australian Prime Minister John Faulkner" ????

Last I heard, Kevin Rudd was PM and Faulkner was Minister for Defense.

Also amusing:

“Its foreign political course is connected with that of Britain, since Australia is a member of the British Community. The British Queen still reigns in Australia.

Seems like Pravda might be tiring of the Washington Post and Fox "news" overtaking its reputation....

[Vidar]

6. Good for Australia!

[canetoad]

7. I wish you would cite a reliable source

when posting articles about my country - or at least a source who knows who our Prime Minister is.

Below is from a reliable source - abc.net.au. Notice the difference?

------------------------
Faulkner hints at early Afghan withdrawal

By national security correspondent Matt Brown for AM
Posted Wed Oct 21, 2009 6:30am AEDT

Defence Minister John Faulkner says he is exploring options to get Australian troops out of Afghanistan earlier than expected.

Australia has around 1,500 troops in Afghanistan, where they are mainly focused on training a fourth brigade of the Afghan National Army. No specific date has been set for their return.

Senator Faulkner is leaving for a NATO meeting on Afghanistan later today and says he has been in discussions about possible exit strategies since taking over the Defence portfolio earlier this year.

"I've certainly asked the Australian Defence Force for any recommendations they have about ensuring we do complete that important role and responsibility both effectively, but in the shortest time frame possible," he said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/21/2719555.htm

[rve300]

8. Besides the fact that the PM is Kevin Rudd

This is a 2 year old campaign promise. Helped him win the election in 2007. Swift action at it's best.