[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 54 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S4540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    AUSTRALIAN PARTICIPATION IN IRAQ

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I have spoken here previously about the 
contribution that one of our closest allies, Australia, has made to 
support our efforts in Iraq and in the ongoing war against terror. At a 
time when other members of the international coalition in Iraq are 
beginning to draw down or remove their forces from the region, 
Australia continues to do its part.
  In fact, over the following weeks, Australia will expand its 
commitment to Iraq by about 50 percent. This will increase the total 
Australian military personnel currently working in or around Iraq to 
1,370. These additional Australian troops will provide a secure 
environment--following the withdrawal of Dutch troops--for Japanese 
engineers who are involved in the reconstruction efforts in the Al 
Muthanna Province in southern Iraq. The additional troop commitment 
will also bolster the existing training of Iraqi forces by Australian 
troops--training which is essential to the successful transformation of 
Iraq into a secure democracy.
  Australia has always been a great friend and ally of ours. It shares 
a tradition of democracy and a dedication to the values of freedom and 
respect for life that we hold dear in the United States. Australia is, 
in fact, the only nation to have sent forces to fight alongside the 
United States in every major conflict during the 20th century, 
including Afghanistan, the first gulf war, Vietnam, Korea, and both 
World Wars.
  Sixty-eight years ago, when Americans and Australians fought 
alongside one another at the Battle of the Coral Sea, during the 
darkest days of the Second World War, only 12 democracies survived on 
the face of the earth. The United States and Australia were 2 of the 
12. Today, when more people vote for their own governments than ever 
before, and as fledgling democracies emerge in the Middle East and 
Eastern Europe, it is important to remember how precious democracy is, 
and to recognize and thank our allies, such as Australia, who have 
always stood beside us and fought in the defense of liberty.
  Earlier this month, I traveled with Senator Reid and six other 
Senators to Iraq, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Georgia, and 
Ukraine. During that trip it was clear that the Iraqi elections--the 
bravery of the Iraqi people in staring down intimidation and violence 
to go to the ballot box--had been an inspiration to that part of the 
world. But, in the short term, democracy in Iraq can only take hold 
with the continued support of coalition troops--including those from 
Australia.
  So I thank the Australian troops and the Australian people for the 
crucial help they continue to provide to this important mission in 
Iraq. Prime Minister Howard and Foreign Minister Downer have shown 
leadership and courage in standing with us in this difficult time. 
Their support is important to building on the success of January's 
elections so that Iraq may continue on its difficult path toward 
democracy.

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