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Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I have called this news conference
with the Defence Minister to announce that this morning, Cabinet decided
that Australia would make a contribution to any United States-led
military operation against Iraq. I stress at the outset that Australia
still hopes that force will not be necessary, that it is our fervent
desire that this matter be settled without resort to force. We will
continue in cooperation with the United States and other countries
to urge upon the Iraqi leadership the commonsense, both from Iraq's
point of view, for the welfare of the population of Iraq, for the
stability of the Middle East and for broader world security interests,
that Iraq comply with the resolutions of the United Nations and allow
inspection by the UNSCOM teams of particular sites in Iraq. And if
that is to occur, then the use of force and the consequences of that
for Iraq can be avoided and the region and indeed the rest of the
world can breathe a great deal more easily.
But if it does become necessary for a United States-led coalition
to use force then Australia has decided that it will make a contribution
to that effort. We believe it would become regrettably necessary for
that force to be used because if Iraq is allowed to thumb it's
nose at the rest of the world, to continue developing it's capacity
to deliver chemical and biological weapons, not only does that pose
an immediate threat to neighbouring countries to Iraq, because it
should be remembered that this foul material can be delivered not
only through missiles, but also through the use of aircraft. And if
Iraq were allowed to go on unchecked then, of course, other countries
might be tempted to imitate what Iraq has done.
So there is an imperative for the security of the region and indeed
in the long-term the security of the rest of the world that Iraq be
denied this capacity in relation to weapons of mass destruction. Also
involved in this dispute is upholding the authority of the United
Nations because the inspections which are sought at Iraqi installations
are authorised under United Nations resolutions.
In assessing the kind of contribution that Australia might make we
have already initiated discussions with the United States and what
we have in mind are, for example, special forces including a detachment
of the Special Air Service for search and rescue operations. We also
have in mind two Boeing 707s for refuelling purposes and also, in
addition, some individual specialists in areas of intelligence and
medical skills.
I want to say again that we fervently hope that military action will
not be necessary and we will continue all of the diplomatic efforts
that have been undertaken and they will be intensified over coming
days.
I have informed the Leader of the Opposition of the Government's
decision. I appreciate the public comments that Mr Beazley has thus
far made on this issue. I will continue to keep the Opposition fully
informed and I will make available the Defence Chiefs and any other
advisers of the Government that the Opposition may wish to speak to
so that there is a full communication and a full flow of appropriate
information from the Government and it's advisers to the Leader
of the Opposition.
Immediately after this news conference I intend to telephone President
Clinton and to brief him on the Government's decision.
Can I say that I will do everything I can over coming days and weeks
to keep the Australian public fully informed of what is involved and
to ensure that the public at all times understands the purpose of
the Australian Government's commitment and the reason why it
is in Australia's interests that we make this commitment to support
any United States-led activity that may become necessary.
I ask the Australian people to understand the reasons for the Government's
decision, to see it in the context of our national interest and to
give its support to the Government's decision. May I also say
that if military action does become necessary, the thing uppermost
in my thoughts and prayers will, of course, be the safety of Australian
service personnel. Because it is they who will be taking the gravest
risks and be exposed to the greatest danger. I hope that it is not
necessary in the final analysis for them to be involved in those operations.
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, when do you expect our people to be deployed?
PRIME MINISTER:
It is too early to say. We have commenced discussions with the United
States. Now that the Government's decision has been taken it
is, of course, possible for the Chief of the Defence Force to put
in motion steps that will be necessary in the event that the sort
of offer that we have in mind integrates effectively with what the
Americans have in mind.
JOURNALIST:
Is this the maximum Australian contribution or could it be added to
at a later date?
PRIME MINISTER:
I wouldn't think that we would be adding to it. What we have
in mind is a contribution of this order. If it turns out to be the
case that after discussion with the Americans over the next few days
some other contribution of a similar order of magnitude, and I stress
that, a similar order of magnitude, would be more appropriate then
that, or part of that would be substituted.
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, what is the order of magnitude...
PRIME MINISTER:
We are looking here about 250, maximum, of Australian personnel in
the order in relation to the special units of about 100 to 110.
JOURNALIST:
How much is this going to cost, Prime Minister?
PRIME MINISTER:
I don't know yet but obviously there will be additional expense
involved. The security of the personnel and the diplomatic and foreign
policy and national security considerations have been upper-most in
my mind. Quite frankly, I haven't yet been briefed on the cost.
I think it is too early to be canvassing those matters.
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, the Federation of Islamic Councils urged you yesterday
not to go ahead with this and they have said that Islamic communities
in Australia will be put under enormous pressure. Do you have a message
for them today?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well I have a message and that is that this is a free and open and
liberal, democratic society. And no Australian should be exposed to
any form of victimisation or vilification by reason of any foreign
policy decision or nation security decision taken by any Australian
government. At the end-of-the-day we take decisions based upon the
Australian national interest and the Australian national interest
is one and indivisible, irrespective of the ethnic derivation of individual
Australians.
But I want to say to Australians of Islamic faith and of Islamic background
and of Arabic background that all of you are fully and totally part
of the Australian community and in no way is this decision an adverse
judgement on your contribution to the Australian community. You have
our understanding and our support but we have our responsibilities
to the total Australian community and the total Australian national
interest. And I am certain that, just as in the Gulf, time of the
Gulf war, there was great understanding amongst all Australian people,
I am sure there will be on this occasion and I appeal to all Australians
not to see Islamic or Arabic Australians as being in any way responsible
for the conduct of the Iraqi leadership.
JOURNALIST:
Was the reluctance of other nations, particularly France and some
of the European nations, to join America at this stage, taken into
account Cabinet's discussions?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well the likely reaction of other countries was canvassed and I think
it is too early to make the judgement implicit in your question. I
would expect that there will be material contributions from quite
a number of countries. But it is not, of course, for me to make announcements
about what other countries are going to do.
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, would you have preferred an ANZAC force?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well I prefer a contribution by Australia which is appropriate, proportionate
and effective. Now, if in the course of doing that it can be meshed
in with a New Zealand contribution, then all the better. But it is
a question of what is operational and what fits in with the overall
plan and what best suits the Australian national interest. But there
is obviously some advantage, all other things being equal and there
being such a contribution or a contribution under that name.
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, what is the likely impact on the 29 Australians that
are in Iraq? What's their disposition and are there any moves
to get them out?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well there aren't any moves at the moment. We have obviously
discussed that and we will keep that matter under very close attention
and I think it is not appropriate for me to say any more than that
but we have given it a lot of thought. We not only have 29 Australians
but there are, I think, 16 New Zealanders to which we have consular
responsibility and their welfare, and taking steps to secure their
welfare, their continued welfare - if that is necessary - will of
course be kept constantly in mind by the Government.
JOURNALIST:
... made by Australia, announced by Australia today comensurate with
the sort of response the US was asking for? I mean, is it in line
with that?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well the US was not so presumptuous as to say what the response should
be. The US asked us. The President made a formal request to me. We
discussed it in some detail and we decided that this was the best
on the advice that we got from our military advisers and we have been
talking to them and to the Defence Department and to the Department
of Foreign Affairs and the intelligence agencies quite actively and
intensely over the past few days, and that was the advice that we
were given and we believe it is appropriate. We think it of course
will make a significant contribution in the areas of the expertise
of the people involved and they of course, particularly in relation
to the special units, they have a very fine and deserved reputation
for expertise around the world.
JOURNALIST:
Could you explain why Cabinet decided not to send in the Australian
Navy like we did in 1991?
PRIME MINISTER:
One of the reasons why at this stage that's not in contemplation
is the time constraint. There is such a thing as steaming time and
you have to bear that in mind.
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, the search and rescue operations you have mentioned,
would they possibly involve Australian troops going onto Iraqi territory?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well, what we have in mind at this stage is the use of these special
personnel in rescue and search operations. I don't want at this stage
for reasons I hope you will understand go into the detail of what
that might be. It's still being discussed and of course at this
stage it is hypothetical.
JOURNALIST:
How high is the risk of Australian casualties, Mr Howard and will
we be following the American example of inoculating our troops against
the possibility of anthrax?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well, I can assure you that the Australian Army and the Australian
forces have a world class reputation in preventative measures and
all of the measures that are necessary will be taken. I don't
want to put a limitation on them by naming one or two measures. Australians
have always been, may I say better at that than most and we will certainly
be taking great steps in that direction.
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, your comment about time constraints and ruling out
the frigates, does that indicate that you think a military strike
could occur within two weeks?
PRIME MINISTER:
Not necessarily. I just indicate that that's one of the reasons
why we believe what we are canvassing here is more appropriate. You've
got to remember that in relation to Desert Storm there was a very
long lead time.
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, Jordan is the latest country to come out against the
air strikes. Are you concerned that there is a very solid Arab unit
now opposed to the US action?
PRIME MINISTER:
No. I believe that what will, what is already the case are there are
indications of different levels of support from a number of the Arab
states.
JOURNALIST:
Where will the special forces personnel be based, Mr Howard?
PRIME MINISTER:
Look, I am not going to... it is altogether too early for me to talk
about that because these are matters that will need to be discussed
with the United States and discussed with the commanding officers
of the units involved.
JOURNALIST:
... we will be sending our own helicopters?
PRIME MINISTER:
I think the United States will be providing assistance in that department.
JOURNALIST:
When will they be leaving, Mr Howard?
PRIME MINISTER:
I cannot tell you. Look we took the decision a couple of hours ago.
We are now putting into action discussions with the United States
and with the units involved, and as further information is available
to me I will make it available to the Australian public and to the
Australian media and we are very keen to ensure that there is a full
flow of information that can go to the media and to the Australian
public but many of these things, it is just too early for me to be
able to answer because decisions have not been taken.
JOURNALIST:
Will there be a restriction on special forces troops being used only
for search and rescue operations or could they be used for offensive
operations as well?
PRIME MINISTER:
The purpose that I outlined was the former.
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, you spoke in passing of the dangers potentially facing
the Australian service personnel. Have you had from the military any
estimates of possible casualties?
PRIME MINISTER:
We haven't had any estimates, no. I mean, we have obviously been
told that there is in any theatre of war the possibility of casualties
but as to the quantum, of course we haven't had any estimates
and I don't intend to go into that but I have to, in all candour,
as anybody at this news conference would know, acknowledge that the
possibility of casualties is always there whenever force is used.
JOURNALIST:
.... in terms of international support. Will you be hoping to extract
any trade commitments out of the US?
PRIME MINISTER:
This has got nothing to do with trade. The two things are quite separate.
[ENDS]