Canberra, , May. 4 (UPI) -- Public support for keeping Australian troops in Iraq has fallen to just 40 percent, a poll by The Australian newspaper reported Tuesday.
When the U.S.-led invasion began in March 2003, a majority supported Prime Minister John Howard's decision to send more than 2,000 troops, fighter aircraft and naval ships to Iraq. Now, Australia has about 850 troops still there.
In the Newspoll survey conducted last weekend, 50 percent said they now opposed the war, with only 40 percent still approving.
While Labor opposition leader Mark Latham said he would like to see the troops brought home before the end of the year, Howard said this week Australian troops would remain in Iraq until at least August 2005, and suggested a small increase in the numbers was possible.
The government also announced Monday it was sending 53 extra troops to Iraq to help train the nation's fledgling army.
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040504-122512-9591r.htm
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