WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- Australian Prime Minister John Howard discussed Iraq's new government and terrorism with President Bush at the White House Tuesday.
The talks were scheduled to be followed by later informal discussions and a formal state dinner.
Howard was greeted with a rare full pomp-and-circumstance arrival ceremony at the White House befitting one of President Bush's staunchest allies in the Iraq and Afghan conflicts.
"We remain a steadfast ally of the United States in the war against terror," Howard said during a media availability with Bush.
"... It's a war that confronts us all. Those who imagine that somehow or other you can escape it by rolling yourself into a little ball and going over in the corner and hoping that you're not going to be noticed are doomed to be very, very uncomfortably disappointed."
Australia has about 400 troops in Iraq. The bulk provide security for Japanese reconstruction forces. It also plays a significant role in Afghanistan. The Howard government has indicated it would not withdraw the troops from Iraq while they were needed despite public opposition to the war.
"I appreciate very much his understanding and discussions about the way forward in Iraq," Bush said. "We spent quite a bit of time talking about the new government ... (and) the Iraqi security forces' capacity to defend themselves."
