Aussie Defence Chief On Middle East Troop Visit

The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson,
Minister for Defence

Visit To Australian Troops In The Middle East

From 27-29 August I had the privilege of visiting Australian personnel serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO). Accompanied by the Chief of Defence, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, I also conducted meetings with government Ministers and Defence officials.

In Kabul, I held talks with Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai and Defence Minister General Abdul Raheem Wardak on the general security situation, Australia's contribution to it, as well as the coordination of aid and reconstruction with our international partners.

I also had the opportunity to visit Australian military personnel based in Oruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan where they continue to work closely with the Dutch Task Force to deliver important reconstruction and security to the local population, as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Our Coalition partners continue to remark on the skills and professionalism of the 970 Defence Force personnel assigned to Afghanistan and appreciate their efforts in providing a safe and secure environment that allows reconstruction work to continue.

During our talks, President Karzai paid tribute to the work being done by Australian troops; "The Afghan people support you. You support us. We have not heard a single complaint about your troops, only praise. We admire the guts of the Australians in Oruzgan."

There is little doubt we are making progress.

I also met with the men and women of the Royal Australian Air Force's AP3-C Orion detachment who continue to work tirelessly in support of maritime surveillance and patrols in the Northern Gulf. Their efforts have been integral in the protection of Iraq's valuable oil terminals, countering smuggling and other illegal trading, in addition to the support to ground based troops.

Australia is always ready and willing to help the Iraqi people, but the Iraqi Government must also do more to help themselves. Ultimately, the security of Iraq is in the hands of the Iraqi people.

In Baghdad, I met with the US Ambassador to Iraq, Mr Ryan Crocker and the Commanding General Multi-National Force - Iraq, General David Petraeus, to discuss the Coalition's strategy in Iraq.

General Petraeus will soon report to the US Congress on Iraq's security and the Baghdad Security Plan in particular.

In these discussions I advised that the Australian government has decided to extend the deployment of the Overwatch Battle Group of about 550 personnel in southern Iraq to the end of June 2008. Up to 1575 ADF personnel are deployed in maritime, land and air operations and in support to Coalition forces in Iraq.

Our Coalition partners expressed their strong appreciation for the valuable work these personnel are performing.

General Petraeus paid particular tribute to the dedication of the men and women of the ADF serving in Iraq. "They are the epitome of professionalism. They are extraordinarily capable. They get it. And that is the highest praise in this kind of endeavour," he said.

The Australian government recognises that security operations in and around Baghdad are showing promising signs of progress, especially against Al Qaeda. But the Iraqi government must do all it can to advance the cause of reconciliation and economic rehabilitation in order to create a real, long-term solution for Iraq. While Australia is performing valuable work in helping to achieve a stable and secure Iraq, the people of Iraq need to resolve their differences peacefully.

In Taji, I visited the Australian Army Training Team in Iraq, made up of 100 trainers from the Army and Royal Australian Air Force. The Australian trainers in the National Depot are supporting logistics training, organisational maintenance, and the introduction and maintenance of key equipment. Their work is nothing short of stunning in building Iraqi military capability.

All Australians can feel immensely proud of the work being done by all our deployed forces. Whether in Iraq, Afghanistan, or the other eight countries where Australian troops are deployed, there is no group of Australians who has done more to define who we are and how we see ourselves than the men and women of the Royal Australian Navy, Army and Air Force.

ENDS

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