Afghanistan role hinges on Dutch
Anne Davies Herald Correspondent in Washington September 3, 2007
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AUSTRALIA may need to review its continuing deployment in Afghanistan if the Netherlands decides to withdraw its troops, the Defence Minister, Brendan Nelson, has said.
Dr Nelson, who had a meeting with the US Defence Secretary, Robert Gates, in Washington on Friday, said the Australians depended on Dutch forces to ensure secure operations in Oruzgan but the Dutch parliament was considering whether to recall its troops.
"We respect of course the sovereign right of the Netherlands to decide whether they will or won't deploy in Afghanistan, but the fact of it is that the Dutch are making the decision whether to stay, whether to reduce numbers, or whether to go, and have asked NATO to see whether there are any other potential partners that could replace the Dutch capability," Dr Nelson said.
"However, if there were not any other partner country there, whether it be the Netherlands or any other NATO country, Australia would have to review its continuing deployment, certainly in Oruzgan in Afghanistan."
Australia was not in a position to substantially increase its troop numbers in Afghanistan, meaning it was "very important that we have a lead NATO country with whom we can partner".
Dr Nelson held talks with Mr Gates before the report on Iraq by the American commander, General David Petraeus, which is due next week.
The US is widely expected to announce an extension of its "surge" strategy in Iraq, but Dr Nelson said Australia had no intention of reducing its presence.
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Anne Davies Herald Correspondent in Washington September 3, 2007
Article Link
AUSTRALIA may need to review its continuing deployment in Afghanistan if the Netherlands decides to withdraw its troops, the Defence Minister, Brendan Nelson, has said.
Dr Nelson, who had a meeting with the US Defence Secretary, Robert Gates, in Washington on Friday, said the Australians depended on Dutch forces to ensure secure operations in Oruzgan but the Dutch parliament was considering whether to recall its troops.
"We respect of course the sovereign right of the Netherlands to decide whether they will or won't deploy in Afghanistan, but the fact of it is that the Dutch are making the decision whether to stay, whether to reduce numbers, or whether to go, and have asked NATO to see whether there are any other potential partners that could replace the Dutch capability," Dr Nelson said.
"However, if there were not any other partner country there, whether it be the Netherlands or any other NATO country, Australia would have to review its continuing deployment, certainly in Oruzgan in Afghanistan."
Australia was not in a position to substantially increase its troop numbers in Afghanistan, meaning it was "very important that we have a lead NATO country with whom we can partner".
Dr Nelson held talks with Mr Gates before the report on Iraq by the American commander, General David Petraeus, which is due next week.
The US is widely expected to announce an extension of its "surge" strategy in Iraq, but Dr Nelson said Australia had no intention of reducing its presence.
More on link
