Your information box (17/3) listing contribution to the coalition forces in Iraq from various countries. The table gave a figure of 800 against Australia. This is incorrect. 

Australia does have about 800 military personnel currently deployed in the Middle East. However, most of them are based in Bahrain and a navy ship in the Persian Gulf. There are about 260 Australian support personal based in Iraq at present, with another 60 training advisers due to join them soon. The table also had a number of other errors. For example, it listed "New Zealand:61." However, aside from a couple of military attaches New Zealand has no military personal in Iraq. But they do have 61 military advisers in Afghanistan.

Published in the Australian 19 March 2004

But I was wrong!

MAY I suggest your correspondant Russell Miles (19/3) check his facts. New Zealand has had a significant presence of military engineers (around 60) working as part of the British contingent in southern Iraq for over six months. Perhaps they don't make as much noise about it, but our Kiwi cousins are with us too.

Kym MacMilian

Canberrra

Published in the Australian 22 March 2004

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