Tight Spot

Australia had no plans to commit extra troops to Iraq, and the deployment would remain until the job of stabilising the war-torn nation was completed, John Howard said yesterday. - The Australian October 20, 2004

I guess the message from all that banner waving on February 14 2003 finally sunk in. John Howard seems to be playing his cards pokerfaced again, perhaps polling suggests committing extra troops might be unpopular while withdrawing troops might be perceived as too opportune.

I suppose he needs to be careful now that he has a reputation for phone pranks and gatecrashing.