TMCnet News
NZ troops to remain in Afghanistan 18 more months+(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)SYDNEY, April 10_(Kyodo) _ New Zealand's military presence in Afghanistan will continue for at least another 18 months, the New Zealand government said Monday. "I think the whole world community has an interest in Afghanistan not deteriorating as it did prior to Sept. 11 (2001) as a haven for terrorist activities," Prime Minister Helen Clarke said in a statement. The deployment of a 120-member reconstruction team based in the central province of Bamian was to end in September. Defense Minister Phil Goff said seven other defense force missions would also be extended to support international security and reconstruction efforts. "Much remains to be done before Afghanistan could be considered able to maintain its own security," Goff said in a statement. Goff said the 12-month extension will cost about NZ$31.5 million (US$19 million) in defense spending. New Zealand has spent NZ$130 million on peacekeeping and development in Afghanistan since first taking part in military operations in December 2001, after a U.S.-led attack removed the Taliban government. |