Australia Leaves Iraq

by Bill
(Hyde Park, NY)

Australia leaves Iraq. Yes, on Sunday, June 1, 2008, Australia troops had enough, packed it up and went back down under.

Seems Australian troops, all 550 of them were in the southern Iraqi town of Nasiriyah at Camp Terendak. So the United States troops there lowered the Australian flag and hoisted Old Glory in its place.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was elected in November of 2008 because of the promise that he would bring home the country's 550 combat troops by the middle of 2008, saying the Iraq deployment made Australia a target for terrorism.

President George W. Bush said in March 2008 that he understood the decision and it would not harm bilateral relations.

The Australians accomplished their mission and their contributions "assisted in the stabilization and development of Iraq," according to U.S. military spokesman Col. Bill Buckner.