On the Australian forces in Iraq

The Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer said he is concerned over the escalation of violence in Iraq but he indicated that withdrawing his country's forces from Iraq now will mean being irresponsible, ignoring calls demands for such a withdrawal.

Following with his meeting with US peer Condaleezza Rice, Downer said he had stressed to Rice his country's commitment to remain in Iraq. The leader of the opposition in Australia, Kim Bezly, said at the beginning of the week that the USA, Australia and their allies have to seriously consider the withdrawal of their forces from Iraq, considering that their "presence there undermines the opportunities to establish peace."