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Australia 'has Iraq oil motive' Australia 'has Iraq oil interest'
(about 1 hour later)
Australia has admitted that securing oil is a key factor behind its continued troop deployment in Iraq. Australian Defence Minister Brendan Nelson has admitted that securing oil supplies is a key factor behind the presence of Australian troops in Iraq.
It is the first time such an admission has been made, correspondents say. He said maintaining "resource security" in the Middle East was a priority.
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said that maintaining "resource security" in the Middle East was a priority for the government in Canberra. But PM John Howard has played down the comments, saying it was "stretching it a bit" to conclude that Australia's Iraq involvement was motivated by oil.
But he added that the main reason troops were still in the Gulf was to ensure that the humanitarian crisis there did not worsen. The remarks are causing heated debate as the US-led Iraq coalition has avoided linking the war and oil.
Australia was involved in the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and has about 1,500 military personnel still deployed in the region. There are no immediate plans to bring them home. Oil concerns
Howard accused Australia was involved in the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and has about 1,500 military personnel still deployed in the region.
Releasing the government's review of its national security policy, Mr Nelson said that the supply of oil had influenced strategic planning. There are no immediate plans to bring them home.
"The defence update we're releasing today sets out many priorities for Australia's defence and security, and resource security is one of them," he said. In comments to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Nelson admitted that the supply of oil had influenced Australia's strategic planning in the region.
"Obviously the Middle East itself, not only Iraq but the entire region, is an important supplier of energy, oil in particular, to the rest of the world." "Obviously the Middle East itself, not only Iraq but the entire region, is an important supplier of energy, oil in particular, to the rest of the world," he said.
Critics have accused the Australian government of telling lies about Iraq. "Australians and all of us need to think what would happen if there were a premature withdrawal from Iraq.
Opposition politicians said that back in 2003, Prime Minister John Howard insisted the campaign to oust former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with oil. "It's in our interests, our security interests, to make sure that we leave the Middle East, and leave Iraq in particular, in a position of sustainable security."
They have chastised Mr Howard, accusing him of making up his policy in the Gulf as he goes along. Australians and all of us need to think what would happen if there were a premature withdrawal from Iraq Brendan Nelson This is thought to be the first time the Australian government has admitted any link between troop deployment in Iraq and securing energy resources.
Anti-war protesters say the government's admission has proved that the US-led invasion was more of a grab for oil rather than a genuine attempt to uncover weapons of mass destruction. But Prime Minister John Howard was quick to play down the significance of his defence minister's comments.
"We didn't go there because of oil and we don't remain there because of oil," he told a local radio station.
"A lot of oil comes from the Middle East - we all know that - but the reason we remain there is that we want to give the people of Iraq a possibility of embracing democracy," he added.
Opposition criticism
Opposition politicians, though, have chastised Mr Howard's government over the comments.
"This government simply makes it up as it goes along on Iraq," Labor leader Kevin Rudd told reporters.
Anti-war protesters say the government's admission proves that the US-led invasion was more of a grab for oil rather than a genuine attempt to uncover weapons of mass destruction.
But ministers in Canberra have brushed aside the criticism, saying they remain committed to helping the US stabilise Iraq and combat terrorism.But ministers in Canberra have brushed aside the criticism, saying they remain committed to helping the US stabilise Iraq and combat terrorism.
They have also stressed that there will be no "premature withdrawal" of Australian forces from the region.They have also stressed that there will be no "premature withdrawal" of Australian forces from the region.