Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, paid a surprise visit Sunday to troops in Iraq.
The Australian leader flew into Baghdad in a military Hercules transport plane for the service, which was attended by the commander of occupation ground forces, U.S. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez.
Howard brushed off the danger of his trip into the heart of the occupied country, saying Australian forces were at far more peril. "They take enormous risk; it's a small risk I take," he said.
Earlier, Howard's office released a statement saying the visit was "in recognition of the great sacrifice and contribution Australian personnel are making there in challenging conditions."
Observers assessed the brief visit will likely be seen as an attempt to bolster Howard's chances of victory at elections due by late this year in which his conservative coalition is seeking a fourth term.
Howard said in Baghdad his government had earmarked enough funds to keep troops in Iraq until mid-2005, but added that did not mean they all would stay there that long.
This visit was Howard's first trip to Iraq since he dispatched 2,000 soldiers to participate in last year's invasion and then replaced them with 850 military personnel to help in the nation's reconstruction, The AP reported. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
