4.10.2006
NZ Extends Tour of Duty in Afghanistan (ABC.net.au)
Last Update: Monday, April 10, 2006. 4:13pm (AEST)
New Zealand will extend its deployment of troops to Afghanistan by another year to September 2007, Prime Minister Helen Clark says.
"I think the whole world community has an interest in Afghanistan not deteriorating as it did prior to September 11 as a haven for terrorist activities," she said.
New Zealand has 120 troops in a provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Bamyan province and Defence Minister Phil Goff says the extension reflected the continuing need to support international security and reconstruction efforts.
Mr Goff says there is a lot of work to do before Afghanistan can maintain its own security.
"Violence from Taliban and Al Qaeda insurgents increased in 2005 and warlordism and a growing trade in opium continue to destabilise Afghanistan and present major problems," he said.
"For international forces and contributions to cease now would risk a return by Afghanistan to being a failed state.
"That would have serious consequences for regional and international security and for New Zealand's own interests."
(More ... NZ extends tour of duty in Afghanistan. 10/04/2006. ABC News Online) ¶ 20:05
New Zealand will extend its deployment of troops to Afghanistan by another year to September 2007, Prime Minister Helen Clark says.
"I think the whole world community has an interest in Afghanistan not deteriorating as it did prior to September 11 as a haven for terrorist activities," she said.
New Zealand has 120 troops in a provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Bamyan province and Defence Minister Phil Goff says the extension reflected the continuing need to support international security and reconstruction efforts.
Mr Goff says there is a lot of work to do before Afghanistan can maintain its own security.
"Violence from Taliban and Al Qaeda insurgents increased in 2005 and warlordism and a growing trade in opium continue to destabilise Afghanistan and present major problems," he said.
"For international forces and contributions to cease now would risk a return by Afghanistan to being a failed state.
"That would have serious consequences for regional and international security and for New Zealand's own interests."
(More ... NZ extends tour of duty in Afghanistan. 10/04/2006. ABC News Online) ¶ 20:05
