John Howard Stands Fast

A toast to John Howard, the Prime Minister of Australia. He refuses to "rat" on an ally and pull Australian troops out of Iraq.

Prime Minister John Howard says he will not "rat on" his ally by pulling Australian troops out of Iraq.

Mr Howard says Labor's position on Iraq would undoubtedly change Australia's relationship with the United States.

Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd has pledged a Labor government would withdraw Australian troops when their first rotation ends after the federal election.

Mr Howard says that would alter the Australian-American alliance.

"I mean you either stay or you go, you either rat on the ally or you don't," he said.

"I'm not saying that's the only consideration but it's a big consideration for me and it's a big consideration for my Government."

Mr Howard says this is no time to appear to be letting down the United States.

"We're not living a very certain world, people are worried about North Korea, people are worried about a whole lot of things in this region and I think it would be a very bad time, difficult though it is, a very bad time to be seen to be letting the Americans down," he said.

Bless you, Mr. Howard.