Complete mission "in the shortest time frame possible": An Australian Bushmaster APC in Afghanistan.
Senator Faulkner is leaving for a NATO meeting on Afghanistan later today and says he has been in discussions about possible exit strategies since taking over the Defence portfolio earlier this year.
"I've certainly asked the Australian Defence Force for any recommendations they have about ensuring we do complete that important role and responsibility both effectively, but in the shortest time frame possible," he said.
"I've been discussing these issues with the chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, and obviously it's a critically important matter for me.
Senator Faulkner admitted Australia's move would affect the push by General Stanley McChrystal, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, for an Iraq-style troop "surge" against the increasingly powerful Taliban militia.
"I'm not going to talk specifically about the approaches we'll take, but I do acknowledge that there will be impacts on the approach that NATO and ISAF partners will be taking as a result of General McChrystal's 60-day assessment.
He says, however, the 120 extra Australian soldiers sent to Afghanistan for security during the country's presidential election will stay for the run-off poll.
A second vote will be held on November 7 because of widespread electoral fraud during the initial poll.
"Our election support force will continue to contribute to security in Uruzgan province. That commitment is absolutely clear," he said.
He says that despite widespread fraud in the election, sending the extra troops was worth it.
"I certainly do believe that that is very much the case, I strongly believe and argue that our commitment to Afghanistan is in our national interest, the importance of that role hasn't changed," he said.
General McChrystal warned last month that the war could be lost within a year without extra resources to fight the resurgent Islamists, who were driven from power by the 2001 US-led invasion.
Friday, October 23, 2009
DTN News: Australia Defence Minister John Faulkner Hints At Early Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan
DTN News: Australia Defence Minister John Faulkner Hints At Early Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) CANBERRA, Australia - October 23, 2009: Defence Minister John Faulkner says he is exploring options to get Australian troops out of Afghanistan earlier than expected. Australia has around 1,500 troops in Afghanistan, where they are mainly focused on training a fourth brigade of the Afghan National Army. No specific date has been set for their return. Complete mission "in the shortest time frame possible": An Australian Bushmaster APC in Afghanistan.
Senator Faulkner is leaving for a NATO meeting on Afghanistan later today and says he has been in discussions about possible exit strategies since taking over the Defence portfolio earlier this year.
"I've certainly asked the Australian Defence Force for any recommendations they have about ensuring we do complete that important role and responsibility both effectively, but in the shortest time frame possible," he said.
"I've been discussing these issues with the chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, and obviously it's a critically important matter for me.
Senator Faulkner admitted Australia's move would affect the push by General Stanley McChrystal, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, for an Iraq-style troop "surge" against the increasingly powerful Taliban militia.
"I'm not going to talk specifically about the approaches we'll take, but I do acknowledge that there will be impacts on the approach that NATO and ISAF partners will be taking as a result of General McChrystal's 60-day assessment.
He says, however, the 120 extra Australian soldiers sent to Afghanistan for security during the country's presidential election will stay for the run-off poll.
A second vote will be held on November 7 because of widespread electoral fraud during the initial poll.
"Our election support force will continue to contribute to security in Uruzgan province. That commitment is absolutely clear," he said.
He says that despite widespread fraud in the election, sending the extra troops was worth it.
"I certainly do believe that that is very much the case, I strongly believe and argue that our commitment to Afghanistan is in our national interest, the importance of that role hasn't changed," he said.
General McChrystal warned last month that the war could be lost within a year without extra resources to fight the resurgent Islamists, who were driven from power by the 2001 US-led invasion.
Complete mission "in the shortest time frame possible": An Australian Bushmaster APC in Afghanistan.
Senator Faulkner is leaving for a NATO meeting on Afghanistan later today and says he has been in discussions about possible exit strategies since taking over the Defence portfolio earlier this year.
"I've certainly asked the Australian Defence Force for any recommendations they have about ensuring we do complete that important role and responsibility both effectively, but in the shortest time frame possible," he said.
"I've been discussing these issues with the chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, and obviously it's a critically important matter for me.
Senator Faulkner admitted Australia's move would affect the push by General Stanley McChrystal, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, for an Iraq-style troop "surge" against the increasingly powerful Taliban militia.
"I'm not going to talk specifically about the approaches we'll take, but I do acknowledge that there will be impacts on the approach that NATO and ISAF partners will be taking as a result of General McChrystal's 60-day assessment.
He says, however, the 120 extra Australian soldiers sent to Afghanistan for security during the country's presidential election will stay for the run-off poll.
A second vote will be held on November 7 because of widespread electoral fraud during the initial poll.
"Our election support force will continue to contribute to security in Uruzgan province. That commitment is absolutely clear," he said.
He says that despite widespread fraud in the election, sending the extra troops was worth it.
"I certainly do believe that that is very much the case, I strongly believe and argue that our commitment to Afghanistan is in our national interest, the importance of that role hasn't changed," he said.
General McChrystal warned last month that the war could be lost within a year without extra resources to fight the resurgent Islamists, who were driven from power by the 2001 US-led invasion.
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