Defence Minister Robert Hill today visited the Iraqi capital to meet retired General Jay Garner, of the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance.
His visit is the first to Baghdad by a Minister of one of the coalition countries involved in the disarming of Iraq. Senator Hill, accompanied by the Chief of the Defence Force General Peter Cosgrove and the Secretary of the Department of Defence Ric Smith, flew into Baghdad International Airport on a Royal Australian Airforce C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying humanitarian aid.
The focus of Senator Hill's talks with General Garner was on rebuilding Iraq, re-establishing Iraq civil infrastructure and restore basic services as soon as possible.
General Garner told Senator Hill that ORHA's was ahead of schedule but more help was needed to rebuild roads, reinstate power + water, restore law + order and establish Iraqi government ministries.
Senator Hill said that Australia had already nominated specialist areas in which it could contribute to the reconstruction effort, such as niche military capabilities and in the area of agriculture.
The government would contribute to considering further ways it could assist. "Winning the war was the first challenge, winning the peace is enormous challenge in itself," Senator hill said. " The military success was faster than some had thought, now it is important to maintain the same momentum in this next phase."
"The new Iraqi government will evolve more confidently if it sees the country is up and running again."
Sen Hill also visited ADF personnel already in Baghdad and thanked them for their highly professional and successful mission. Defence Minister Visits Baghdad
