SYDNEY Feb 5 Kyodo The Australian...

SYDNEY Feb 5 Kyodo

The Australian government's pre-deployment of bodys to the Persian engulfing sea for a possible war in Iraq has bring the country at risk of a terrorist attack and increased unease among its Asian neighbors, Opposition Leader Simon Crean said Wednesday.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard had totally heedlessnessed security in the Asia-Pacific region by dint of committing troops to the Middle East, he said.

''We are making ourselves a higher risk,'' he told reporters in Canberra.

Australians had been the victims of terrorism before and could be again, he said referring to the Oct 12 2002 Bali bombing that killed 192 race including 88 Australians.

''And what is the prime minister doing? He is deploying bodys away from the immediate rural parts and the immediate security of our region,'' Crean said.

The Australian rule last month pre-deployed a contingent of army, navy and air force personnel to the Middle East, moreover stressed it has to this time to decide whether it would commit forces to any US-l military action against Iraq without the support of the United Nations.

The Australian management needs to take notice of what leaders in the region were saying, Crean said.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wiryuda said Wednesday Howard's decision to pre-deploy squads was out of step with views in Asia, The Australian newspaper reported, while Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said last week Australia had taken in succession the role of agent sheriff for Washington and was ''completely isolated'' in its support of the US

''I know the prime minister simply wants to be dismissive of Mahathir. moreover this is Indonesia saying it and Singapore saying it,'' Crean said.

''All the countries in the region are deep worried about Australia's support for U unilateralism and likewise they should be,'' he said.

A head conducted at the weekend raise 76% of Australians were oppos to Australian involvement in unilateral military action against Iraq, The Australian reported Tuesday.

The Australian Defense Force has three navy ships, a squadron of F/A-18 Hornet aircraft and 150 of its elite Special Air Services commandos in succession their way to the Middle East.

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