FED: Howard to increase size of army=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2006
FED: Howard to increase size of army=2

Mr Howard said a bigger army was needed to meet Australia's likely future responsibilities,
both as a peacekeeping force in neighbouring countries and as a member of the coalition
against terrorism.

"I have said repeatedly that this country will need to spend more on defence as the
years go by," he said.

"This will come as no surprise to the Australian public. We have ongoing responsibilities
in our region. It's a fairly unsettled region.

"The rest of the world looks to Australia as the strongest and wealthiest country in
the region to carry a lot of burden.

"In addition to that, we will from time to time need to make niche contributions ...

to the fight against terrorism and other operations in partnership with our coalition
friends."

Mr Howard said the decision would have no bearing on forces already in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"This decision doesn't bear on the length of time our forces will stay in Afghanistan
and Iraq," he said.

"They will stay in Afghanistan and Iraq for so long as the need is there."

Mr Howard said Australians would stay in Iraq until local forces could carry enough
of the burden for coalition troops to leave.

"When that situation comes, they will begin to leave but we haven't reached that situation
yet and the worst thing to do now would be a for premature departure by coalition forces,"

he said.

Mr Howard said Australia was also increasing its commitment to Afghanistan "because
the threat from al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan remain very real".

AAP rgr/jlw

KEYWORD: DEFENCE HOWARD 2 HOBART

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