Latham's commitment to bring the troops home welcome

"ALP leader Mark Latham's commitment that Australian troops in 
Iraq will be returned to Australia by the end of this year 
reflects the feelings of a very large number of Australians", 
Peter Symon, General Secretary of the Communist Party of 
Australia (CPA), said in Sydney on March 28, after a meeting of 
the party's Central Committee.

"The majority of Australians believe that the invasion of Iraq 
was wrong and illegal, that the Howard Government is carrying out 
the interests of the US not those of Australia, and that the 
first responsibility of any Australian government is the 
protection of Australia and not overseas military adventures.

"While categorically opposing all acts of terrorism, we reject 
the hysterical statements of Government leaders that the 
withdrawal of Australian troops is a victory for al-Qaida or that 
it is 'unAustralian'", said Mr Symon.

The opposite is the truth. The real crimes are Australia's 
participation in the invasion and occupation of Iraq and the 
Government's support for the Israeli Government's denial of 
sovereign rights to the Palestinian people together with its 
assassination of Sheik Yassin.

"We call for other measures in addition to the withdrawal of 
Australian troops from Iraq. They include withdrawal of any 
commitment to participate in the US 'star wars' project, the 
closure of Pine Gap as a spy base and the scaling back of the 
huge military equipment purchases that the Howard Government is 
undertaking", said Warren Smith, CPA Assistant General Secretary.

"Australia's foreign policy needs to be changed from complete 
subservience to the policies of the United States to the 
promotion of friendly and peaceful relations with all other 
countries, particularly those in the Asia-Pacific region."

"Our Party also condemns the remarks by US Ambassador Tom 
Schieffer. His criticism of Mr. Latham's statement is a flagrant 
interference in Australia's internal affairs", Mr Symon said.

"Mr Schieffer's remarks are not made out of any genuine concern 
for the Iraqi people but concern that support for the Iraq war is 
falling apart.

"He is a cheerleader for war and a stand-over man, demanding that 
Australia submit without question to the interests of the United 
States and the Bush government.

"We call on the Australian Government to demand his recall", Mr 
Symon concluded.

In a statement issued by the Central Committee the CPA also 
called on the Howard Government to withdraw immediately all 
Australian troops from Iraq and end all participation in the 
illegal war and occupation of Iraq.