[NYTr] Aussie Labor wants troops out of Iraq; Sydney Fenced in for APEC Summit

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

AAP (Australia) via Dave Muller (southnews)- Sep 1, 2007


Labor wants troops out of Iraq: Rudd

A Labor government would be committed to withdrawing combat forces from 
Iraq, says federal Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd.

"Our policy has always been that combat forces, we will withdraw them 
and we will allow them to run through to the conclusion of their
current rotation at the end of this year," he told reporters in Darwin.

"And then replace them with (a) further rotation of about six months 
which means they would be out by about the middle of next year."

United States President George W Bush will meet Mr Rudd next week to 
explain why he believes coalition troops should remain in Iraq.

But Mr Rudd said he would stand by his policy.

"I understand that Mr Bush and Mr Howard have a position on Iraq but
we, as the alternative government of Australia, have a different
position," he said.

"It's time for there to be an exit strategy for Australian combat
forces."

                             ***

BBC - Sep 1, 2007
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/6973631.stm


Sydney fenced in for APEC summit

A concrete and steel fence is being built across the centre of Sydney 
amid a massive security effort for a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders
next week.

More than 5,000 police and troops will also be deployed as part of 
Australia's largest security operation ever.

The 5km (three-mile) barrier is intended to protect the 21 leaders 
attending the meeting from thousands of protesters expected at the
summit.

Major landmarks such as Sydney's Opera House fall inside the protection 
zone.

The world leaders - including US President George W Bush and Russian 
President Vladimir Putin - will attend the Asia Pacific Economic 
Co-operation (Apec) meeting for talks on climate change, regional 
security and free trade.

'Rabble-proof fence'

Police say they expect protests to be violent and have warned 
demonstrators not to march near the venue.

But activists opposed to the Iraq war and global warming have insisted 
they want to make their point peacefully.

Australia's government has spent A$169m (#68m, $138m) on security for 
the event over six years, with media dubbing the barrier the 
"rabble-proof fence".

Fighter jets and police helicopters will patrol the skies above Sydney, 
while Australia's navy will deploy ships, divers, water police and 
special forces in Sydney Harbour.

Mr Bush has already apologised to Sydney residents for any
inconvenience caused during the summit, which started on Saturday and
will end on 8-9 September.

"I'm looking forward to the beautiful city and to the extent I 
inconvenience [Sydney residents], I apologise," Mr Bush said.

There is plenty to grumble about, says the BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney, 
with commuters and tourists facing more than a week of disruption.

Parts of Sydney's rail network will be closed, along with many roads.

But residents have been given a sweetener, our correspondent says -
next Friday has been declared a public holiday to coincide with the
start of the meeting.