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Prime Minister Gillard delivered what she called a "simple message" as she became the first head of state to address Congress since new members were elected in November.
    Prime minister Gillard said she stands firm in support of the US-led strategy in the decade-long war against the Taliban and is "cautiously optimistic" about the future of Afghanistan.
    Australia is the strongest non-NATO US ally, with more than 1,500 troops in Afghanistan.
    Ms Gillard also pledged cooperation in the Asia Pacific region, where she said the global order is changing the most. She acknowledged both countries’ complex relationship with China, but said the United States should not fear China’s rapid growth as it bares the burden of its own tough economic times.
    In a direct appeal to lawmakers, Prime Minister Gillard urged them to make tough economic reforms and to pass legislation opening the door for more free trade in the Asia-Pacific region.
    The Australian prime minister also noted what she called the "momentous" upheaval in the Middle East, and pledged her alliance with the United States in condemning Iran’ s nuclear program, and in a call for an Israeli-Palestinian resolution.