Australia warns it can't replace Dutch in Afghan province

SYDNEY, Feb 22, 2010 (AFP) - Australia has warned it can't "take up the lead" in Afghanistan's Uruzgan province if Dutch soldiers withdraw, after a row over the mission brought down the Netherlands' government.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Australia had already raised its concerns with both NATO and the United States following the Dutch government's collapse over the weekend.

"We are great respecters of the contribution that they have made, but in the absence of the Dutch, Australia has made it clear to NATO and to the International Security Assistance Force that Australia is not in a position to take up the lead in Uruzgan province," Smith told reporters on Sunday.

"We've made this clear to NATO, as we have to the United States. So it's a matter for NATO to resolve issues of leadership in Uruzgan province and we're confident that that particular issue is in hand."

Australia's 1,550 troops in Afghanistan are based in the southern province, which is a known centre for the Taliban insurgency and opium production, and borders Helmand, site of an ongoing major anti-Taliban offensive.

The Netherlands may begin to withdraw its 1,950-strong force from Uruzgan as early as August after the coalition government failed to agree on a NATO request to extend the mission by a year, sparking fears other countries will waver.

"It will be several months before a new government is in place," Australian Defence Minister John Faulkner told parliament on Monday.

"Given these developments, we anticipate the Dutch will proceed to relinquish leadership in Uruzgan and draw down their military forces from August this year."

Australia took part in the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan under conservative former prime minister John Howard, a keen supporter of the "war on terror".

Current Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who has described the war as "unpopular", committed 450 extra troops last year but has refused to join a surge in numbers which has boosted the United States contingent to more than 100,000.

In October, Faulkner said he was looking at ways to wrap up the mission as quickly as possible and hand over control to Afghan forces.

Australia is currently the ninth biggest contributor of troops to NATO'S International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and has lost 11 soldiers in the conflict.

The Dutch mission, which started in 2006 and is often hailed as an example for its developmental focus, has already been extended by two years and has cost the lives of 21 soldiers.

Britain's The Times newspaper, without citing sources, said American troops had been lined up to patrol Uruzgan if the Dutch withdraw.

About 15,000 Afghan and NATO troops are facing fierce Taliban resistance as they battle to secure the Nad Ali and Marjah areas of Helmand province.


by Talek Harris
(c) 2010 AFP