To the Bitter End

Some of our allies really are, well, allies. Australian PM John Howard is one:

Spain’s decision to withdraw its troops from Iraq as soon as possible would encourage insurgents, but reinforced Australia’s decision to remain, Prime Minister John Howard has said.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer called Spanish ambassador Jose Baranano to protest about yesterday’s announcement by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero that his 1400 troops would return.

The timing of the pull-out was very bad, Mr Downer said. “I told the Spanish ambassador that I was very disappointed about their decision,” he said.

Mr Howard said the decision “will encourage the insurgency”, but said it would “not alter the Australian Government’s position one iota”.

Thanks, mates.