Australia Says it Will Provide Troops

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Australia will provide troops to support any U.S. military action against international terrorism, Prime Minister John Howard said Wednesday.

Howard said last week's airborne terrorist attacks on the United States were also attacks on the freedom and values that Australians share with Americans.

``There's no point in a situation like this being an 80 percent ally,'' Howard told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

``We leave open the option of any kind of military involvement which we are capable of and would be appropriate. And, yes, that includes troops,'' he said.

Howard was in Washington last week when a plane hijacked by terrorists crashed into the Pentagon (news - web sites), and has closely associated himself with the international coalition supporting the United States.

To date, Australia's main contribution has been to leave its navy frigate HMAS Anzac on patrol in the Persian Gulf at the request of the United States. The Anzac, which carries 164 sailors, had been due to return home this week.

Defense Minister Peter Reith said 295 Australian military personnel were already in the United States for reasons ranging from consular duties to working with combat units.

``About 28 are involved in American combat units of some sort or another and could be deployed at any time within the U.S. or abroad,'' he said.

Reith added that Australia also was working closely with U.S. authorities ``on intelligence matters.''

Last Friday the government invoked a clause in Australia's 50-year-old ANZUS military treaty with the United States which means that an attack on U.S. territory was considered an attack on Australia.