OZ PM HOWARD: WE WILL STAY UNTIL THE JOB IS DONE

BBC:

Australian troops will remain in Iraq until Iraqis are able to take control of their own security, Australian Prime Minister John Howard has said. Speaking on a surprise visit to Baghdad, Mr Howard refused to be drawn on when Australia's roughly 1,500 troops would be withdrawn. ... At a joint news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, Mr Howard said Australia was committed to helping Iraq restore security.

"I have... told the prime minister that Australia will continue its presence in Iraq to assist in bringing about a situation where the Iraqi people are reasonably able to provide for their own future and for their own security," he said. "We both agreed that the future lies in collaboration between improved security and reconciliation in the political process."

Mr Howard refused to be drawn on a timetable for the withdrawal of Australian troops. "Great progress has been achieved, but there is still work to be done," he said. "As you know, I don't set speculative dates. There is nothing to be achieved by that."

HE GETS IT. GOD BLESS AUSTRALIA.