Fed: I'd like to see Aust troops stay 18 months - Chalabi

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2004
Fed: I'd like to see Aust troops stay 18 months - Chalabi

CANBERRA, April 19 AAP - Iraqi National Congress leader Ahmad Chalabi said today he
would like Australian troops to stay another 18 months to complete their training roles
in the war-torn country.

"Whether Australian troops remain or go is up to the Australian people," he told ABC radio.

"Australian troops have done a very good job here. We would like them to stay and I
think their presence is important."

Dr Chalabi said he would like the Australian troops to continue involvement in the
training of Iraqi police and army and he would be sorry to see them go.

"I would say the Iraq security forces, if we start now on the right track, can be trained
in 18 months."

Australia has some 850 personnel in the Middle East with about 300 inside Iraq, providing
security, air traffic control at Baghdad airport and training Iraqi military personnel.

AAP de/jv/jlw/

KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST CHALABI

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