Australia to debate action on Iraq

Foreign Minister Downer, left, will tell Australians more details of Iraq's activities following talks with Colin Powell

CANBERRA, Australia (CNN) -- Australia's parliament will next week debate the nation's involvement in any military action against Iraq following fresh talks with senior U.S. officials.

Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander is expected to outline the case against Iraq and its non-compliance with UN resolutions in a statement to the parliament in Canberra.

Downer met U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in New York Wednesday to discuss Iraq and a possible U.S. military strike to oust Saddam Hussein.

Also at the meeting were the foreign ministers from China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

However Australian Prime Minister John Howard said there would not be a vote in the parliament on Australian involvement because no decision had been made by the U.S. or the United Nations on what action, if any, would be taken.

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He said he hoped the issue of Iraq's non-compliance with UN Security Council resolutions could be resolved without resort to military force, but he was not optimistic.

"I'm a realist," Howard told Australian Broadcasting Corporation Radio Thursday.

"It would take a big shift in behavior by Iraq and there would need to be effective enforceable inspection arrangements for it to be a satisfactory approach."

He said Downer's statement would contain more details of Iraq's non-compliance with UN resolutions and that members of parliament would be able to debate those details and any related issues that might arise.

Australians are split over the issue of military action against Iraq and opposition MPs are keen for the issue to be fully debated before any commitment was made.

But a decision to commit Australian troops to military action would not require a parliamentary vote.

Howard said there had not yet been a request from the United States for Australia's help in any conflict with Iraq.

However, defense analysts say if such a request were made it would be highly unlikely that Australia would refuse to provide military support.

Australia was one of the first countries to offer military support to the United States following the September 11 attacks.

It currently has around 150 troops on the ground in Afghanistan and is providing aerial and naval support to the U.S.-led operation.

Australia also has a 51-year-old defense treaty with the United States pledging mutual support if either nation is attacked.

Howard stressed Thursday that his government had no desire for a military conflict with Iraq and neither did U.S. President George W. Bush.

"I hate military conflicts and so does he (Bush)," Howard said.