Iraq deployment linked to oil: Nelson
By ABC News
Australia
07/05/07"
ABC"
--- -- Defence Minister Brendan Nelson says securing the
world's oil supply is one of the Federal Government's
considerations as it decides how long to keep troops in
Iraq.
The statement has prompted Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd to
accuse Prime Minister John Howard of "making it up as he
goes along" on Iraq.
The Government released its update on national defence
policy this morning, warning of the ongoing threat from
terrorism and continuing problems with fragile states in our
region.
Speaking ahead of the release, Dr Nelson confirmed the
Government viewed Australia's involvement in Iraq as
partially driven by the need to secure oil supplies,
although he said the main reason was to ensure that the
humanitarian crisis did not worsen.
"The defence update we're releasing today sets out many
priorities for Australia's defence and security - and
resource security is one of them," he said.
"Obviously the Middle East itself, not only Iraq, but the
entire region is an important supplier of energy, oil in
particular, to the rest of the world."
Mr Rudd says the statement is a clear backflip on what the
Howard Government said when the Iraq war started.
"Mr Howard makes it up as he goes along on Iraq," he said.
"Mr Howard was asked back in 2003 whether this war had
anything to do with oil. Mr Howard said in no way did this
have anything to do with oil. This government simply makes
it up as it goes along."
Labor defence spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon joined the attack.
"The Government has now introduced security of oil supply as
the fourth justification for our involvement in Iraq," he
said.
"What it demonstrates is that the Prime Minister has been
fundamentally dishonest with the Australian people from the
beginning."
Extremist threat
The update warns that violent extremism will remain a threat
around the world for at least a generation.
It says while Australia doesn't face any direct conventional
threat, the military should be prepared for a range of
problems from operations in fragile neighbouring countries
to humanitarian relief.
The review says the stakes are high in Iraq and Afghanistan
and Australia needs to fight terrorism at its source, rather
than waiting for it to reach Australian shores.
Dr Nelson says that when it comes to Iraq, Australia needs
to support its allies, stop Al Qaeda securing a foothold,
and secure oil supplies.
"There are many countries, including developing countries
which rely substantially on energy supplies from the Middle
East," he said.
Dr Nelson says it is Australia's interest to leave Iraq in a
sustainable security position when troops are eventually
withdrawn.
"It's the conditions on the ground that will determine how
long we stay in Iraq, not the political conditions in
Australia."
Dr Nelson leaves today for an official visit to Indonesia,
China and India.
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