Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
02 May 2005
Defence Minister Robert Hill Meets Iraqi Prime Minister, Ibrahim al-Jaafari
Read release: Defence Minister meets Iraqi Prime Minister
Defence Minister Robert Hill has met with Iraqi Prime Minister, Ibrahim al-Jaafari to congratulate him on the formation of the new Iraqi Government three days ago.
Senator Hill, one of the first representatives of a foreign government to meet the Prime Minister since he announced his new Cabinet, said he wanted to restate the Australian Government's commitment to the rebuilding and democratisation of Iraq.
"The Prime Minister told me that he was grateful for the Australian forces that were contributing to security in Iraq, and in particular for those forces that were involved in training the Iraqi Defence Force," Senator Hill said.
"He discussed the value of our training in helping the Iraqi people to take responsibility for their own security. Not only have Australians trained combat forces, but they have provided logistical training, which was particularly required by the Iraqi forces. The Prime Minister indicated that the newly democratic Iraqi Government was broadly representative, including members of all major geographical, religious and social groupings.
"In addition, more than a third of the Parliament is comprised of women, with six represented in Cabinet."
Senator Hill met with the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Nasier Abadi, who reiterated the need for more training, as well as the need for improved infrastructure and institutions.
He also highlighted the need for logistics and the improved analysis of intelligence data.
| 20050501adf8218490_022 Australian Chargé d'Affaires to Iraq Mr Ben Burdon, Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill with Colonel John Mansell at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Baghdad Iraq. (Date taken: 01 May 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050501adf8218490_032 Australian Chargé d'Affaires to Iraq Mr Ben Burdon, Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill with Colonel John Mansell at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Baghdad Iraq. (Date taken: 01 May 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050501adf8218490_099 Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari in Baghdad. (Date taken: 01 May 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050501adf8218490_122 Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari in Baghdad. (Date taken: 01 May 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050501adf8218490_133 Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill meets with Iraqi Vice President Sheik Ghazi Ajil al-Yawer in Baghdad. (Date taken: 01 May 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050501adf8218490_140_th.jpg Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill meets with Iraqi Vice President Sheik Ghazi Ajil al-Yawer in Baghdad. (Date taken: 01 May 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050501adf8218490_161 Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill meets with Iraqi Minister for National Security Affairs, Abd al-Karim al-Anzi in Baghdad. (Date taken: 01 May 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050501adf8218490_198 Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill with Major Matt Silver, Officer Commanding the Australian Security Detachment in Baghdad. (Date taken: 01 May 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050501adf8218490_201 Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill with Major Matt Silver, Officer Commanding the Australian Security Detachment in Baghdad. (Date taken: 01 May 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050501adf8218490_231 Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill with meets with Sergeant Harvey of Australian Security Detachment in Baghdad. (Date taken: 01 May 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050501adf8218490_270 Australian Chargé d'Affaires to Iraq Mr Ben Burdon greets Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill upon his arrival in Baghdad, Iraq. (Date taken: 01 May 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050501adf8218490_304 A cheery farewell from Defence Minister Robert Hill after a successful visit to Baghdad. (Date taken: 01 May 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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