Australia to withdrawing troops from Iraq in June `08

NEW YORK: Australia`s foreign minister has said that "strong ties" between his country and the United States "transcend" political changes, but his new government will proceed with plans to withdraw troops from Iraq this year.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said that the withdrawal in June will be orderly so as to cause minimal inconvenience to Australia`s allies.

Smith is on his first trip to the United States since the November election of Labour leader Kevin Rudd, who defeated Conservative Prime Minister John Howard, a staunch supporter of the Bush administration.

End.