SYDNEY, Sept 5 (AFP) - More than 50 of Australia's top doctors on Sunday launched a pre-election attack on the government's support for the Iraq war in an open letter to Prime Minister John Howard.
In a statement that put Iraq back on the agenda of a campaign dominated so far by domestic issues, the doctors said Australia had a moral responsibility to make amends for the "tragic mistake" that led to its involvement in the invasion.
It urged the government to concentrate resources on restoring Iraq's civil infrastructure, rather than military operations.
"The war is causing horrific injuries and loss of life to Iraq's people, particularly children," said the letter signed by 54 medical specialists and doctors. "It has destroyed essential infrastructure, including the health system."
Signatories include former Australian Medical Association president Kerryn Phelps and doctors from top universities and medical bodies.
The letter echoes comments last month by more than 40 former Australian diplomats and military chiefs, who accused Howard of deceiving the country over the reasons for the war.
Retired officials in Britain and the United States have issued similar statements about the Iraq campaign.
Howard, one of Washington's staunchest allies, disagreed with the doctors and said health spending in the war-torm country was now 60 times higher than it was under ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.
"I respect their right to have another view, this is democracy," Howard told reporters.
Australia committed about 2,000 troops to last year's Iraq invasion and maintains a force of almost 900 in and around the country.
The opposition Labor Party has vowed to bring the majority of them home by Christmas if it win power in the October 9 election.
The opposition has accused Howard of lying over the reasons for Australia's involvement in the war. But opinion polls have so far shown the prime minister's popularity has not been dented by the issue.