From Yahoo.com news
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - From the moment a hijacked passenger jet slammed into the Pentagon (news - web sites) near where he was staying on Sept. 11, Australian Prime Minister John Howard has been unwavering in his support for U.S. military reprisals.
Within days, he had pledged 150 elite commandos to the U.S.-led war on terrorism, along with two refueling planes, two maritime reconnaissance aircraft and a guided missile frigate.
On Wednesday, following a call from President Bush (news - web sites), Howard increased Australia\'s contribution to 1,550 troops and said they would begin leaving for the Gulf within a week to two weeks.
Bush ``indicated the United States would like to activate the commitment that Australia had made to join the coalition force; I indicated that Australia would respond,\'\' Howard said.
The forces - nearly 600 more than the initial commitment - include a naval task group comprising one helicopter-carrying amphibious command ship and a frigate escort, four FA-18A fighter jets, and one frigate that also can accommodate helicopters.
Public backing for Howard\'s unflinching support also has been overwhelming, with relatively few people showing up for scattered peace rallies to protest the planned deployment.
``We have to send troops to keep the peace, there has to be a united group of countries to keep the peace,\'\' said bus driver Luke Geradts.
Howard\'s popularity has soared on the back of his support - just weeks from national elections at which he is seeking a third term for his conservative government.
Australia\'s commitment to support U.S. military campaigns dates to World War II and has seen Australian troops fight alongside U.S. forces in Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War (news - web sites).
``The Americans came to our aid during the dark days of World War II and saved us from the Japanese thrust and that should never be forgotten,\'\' Howard said after the Sept. 11 attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center. He pledged to support the United States ``to the limit of our capability.\'\'
``This country would have gone under in World War II if it hadn\'t been for the Americans and no Australian of any generation should ever forget that,\'\' Howard said.
World War II forced Australia to turn away from its historic ties with far-off Britain and look to the United States for help defending its vast unprotected coastline from the Japanese. Although Japanese bombers inflicted heavy damage on the northern port of Darwin, there was no invasion, thanks mainly to the heavy U.S. forces in the Pacific region.
After the war, Australia and the United States, along with New Zealand, signed a military pact, which turns 50 this year. Howard was in Washington to mark the occasion when the Sept. 11 attacks rocked the world.
At least three Australians died in the suicide hijackings, which Howard said amounted to an attack on Australia because of the values the two nations share.
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At least we have more to offer then the Canadians...
Hahahaha Videoholic...
Topic: Australia gets in on the act, pledges 1600 SAS elite commandoes. (Read 879 times)