Clark outflanked on SAS role in Afghanistan conflict

By TONY WALL and AINSLEY THOMPSON

New Zealand's SAS contingent in Afghanistan is believed to be working alongside Canadian forces - possibly in the country's dangerous eastern mountains.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister finally had to tell the public that, after the political awkwardness of a White House website publicly confirming the SAS contingent's presence in Afghanistan. Helen Clark had repeatedly refused to confirm or deny various international reports that New Zealanders were on active duty on the ground in the war zone.

The White House website documents revealed that as part of a combined operation, New Zealand special forces troops had "recovered valuable equipment and forwarded it for exploitation".

A correspondent for Britain's Independent newspaper, Kim Sengupta, who was in Afghanistan weeks ago, told the Weekend Herald that American sources had repeatedly told him that New Zealand SAS soldiers had been in Kandahar with a Canadian contingent. He had also heard reports they had been in Gardez, scene of the biggest battle of the war.

A spokesman for Canadian forces at the US Central Command in Florida refused to discuss the role of New Zealand troops.

The American ABC television network said last night that the Canadians had joined American troops combing caves in the eastern mountains where the fiercest battle of the war took place in the past fortnight.

Helen Clark's brief statement confirming the SAS involvement said that since the soldiers were working alongside other countries' forces, "news of their presence was already in the public arena".

She added: "The Government's reluctance to confirm the presence of members of the SAS in Afghanistan has been based on a desire to minimise the risk to those serving overseas and to their families left behind. The Government will continue to observe a policy of refusing to comment on the specific location or mission of SAS members."

The White House report lists New Zealand's contribution to the war in Afghanistan as including:

* Posting officials at US Central Command in Florida.

* Providing C130 Hercules aircraft to carry equipment and supplies for the war.

* Providing a seven-person air loading team to help the British-led international peacekeeping effort.

* Providing eight officers soon to be posted to the peacekeeping headquarters.

* Providing special operations forces.

The National Party said Helen Clark's "feeble admission" was an embarrassment.

"The Australian Government briefs the public about where its SAS troops are and generally what type of mission they are involved in after the event," said the party's defence spokesman, Max Bradford.

New Zealand's secrecy contrasts with increasing openness in Australia about the role of their SAS soldiers in Operation Anaconda, aimed at forcing about 1000 al Qaeda fighters out of mountain strongholds.