Fed: Kerry's troop pledge strengthens Labor's position: Beazley

AAP General News (Australia)
08-02-2004
Fed: Kerry's troop pledge strengthens Labor's position: Beazley

CANBERRA, Aug 2 AAP - Plans by US Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry to bring
significant numbers of American troops home from Iraq strengthened Labor's pledge for
Australian troops to return by Christmas, Labor said today.

Kerry said in interviews overnight that he did not expect to send more United States
troops to Iraq and hoped to bring "significant numbers" home in his first term.

"I would consider it an unsuccessful policy if I hadn't brought significant numbers
of troops back within the first term. And I will do that," he said.

Opposition defence spokesman Kim Beazley said Kerry's comments strengthened Labor leader
Mark Latham's promise to bring Australian troops home from Iraq by Christmas if the party
won office.

"What is clearly required now in Iraq is nation-building activities and I think that,
yes, that (Mr Kerry's comment) does strengthen the case for Mark Latham's position," he
told the Nine Network.

AAP bt/bes/jlw

KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST BEAZLEY

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