Afghan withdrawal date confirmed
A decision to withdraw New Zealand troops from Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province by the end of April 2013 falls into line with many other coalition partners.
Foreign affairs minister Murray McCully and defence minister Jonathan Coleman today announced the withdrawal of the provincial reconstruction team (PRT) from the province.
Prime Minister John Key says it was always the government’s decision to withdraw from Bamiyan next year and today’s decision confirms that.
He says the decision is in line with other coalition partners.
“By the end of this year, many PRTs will be in the process of withdrawing. By the middle of next year, 11 of the 26 original PRTs across the country will be closed.”
He says it is a sensible, orderly and professional transition, which Bamiyan’s local authorities are happy with.
Mr Key says the government wanted to fit in with other planning and logistical considerations, along with the availability of the Bamiyan runway, which is out of commission from next April during a major upgrade.
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Comments and questions6
Thank you to the amazing men and women of the New Zealand Defence Force for the incredible job you do - you make your country proud
Cant come soon enough... that war isn't worth the sacrifices our soldiers are making. Tragic when politics takes lives.
Hats off to all those that serve in the defense forces.
Yes it's not our war but don't underestimate the victory we have just handed 'them' on a platter. This will only serve to show that it's worthwhile to target smaller coalition partners as weak links in the chain. I hate to say it but that's the reality.
It's a big game we play in and still we know not what we do.. what did happen 11 years ago? What was the pretext that gave rise to the USA in Afghanistan? These questions need answering before we give cred to the red-neck jingoists singing their simple but naive song.. 'All the way with the USA...'
http://www.boilingfrogspost.com/2011/08/10/911-psychological-warfare-the-american-narrative-part-i/
http://www.boilingfrogspost.com/2011/08/18/911-psychological-warfare-the-american-narrative-part-ii/
http://www.boilingfrogspost.com/2011/08/24/911-psychological-warfare-the-american-narrative-part-iii/
cheers greg
I find it sad that sometime last week, TV3 interviewed a memeber Afghan community here in NZ. The Afghan said that NZ soldiers should stay and fight.
What an irony!!!! if they are here on refugee status, they have no right to tell NZ soldiers if NZ soldiers should stay or go. Instead they should go back and fight their own country war.
I hope next time, none of the media companies would interview Afgan community for comments on NZ soldiers presence in Afganistan.
Well done, NZDF! In my occasional visits to Kabul and from the literature available, there is a deserved sense of satisfaction over the unit's efforts.