When asked if he accepted there were no WMD, Mr Howard replied: "I have said in the past that the work of the Iraq survey group goes on".
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/09/1086749784098.html

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MARK Latham is adjusting his promise to bring Australia's troops home by Christmas. It's a promise he should never have made and could never keep.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9819062%255E17301,00.html

What Latham did yesterday was give in to reality while trying to maintain a consistent approach.

Soon after the Madrid terrorist bombings he publicly declared Labor would bring the troops home by Christmas. He did it without consulting his shadow cabinet and with little regard to the logistics. As well, it appears he underestimated the US reaction.

Latham qualified his statement by saying that if the elections were not called until next year, then he couldn't deliver. But even with an election in September or October, it was going to be an impossible task to withdraw the troops and protect our aid workers and diplomatic staff.