By JOHN ARMSTRONG, Political editor
New Zealand's Hercules aircraft are likely to be flying food and other humanitarian aid into Afghanistan within the next two months following the rout of the Taleban.
Foreign Minister Phil Goff has also indicated the Government will consider any United Nations request for New Zealand troops to join a multinational force to help stabilise the country until a new government is formed in Kabul.
But he warned that any NZ contribution to such a force would be severely constrained by the Army's commitment in East Timor, which will not be scaled back until the middle of next year at the earliest.
"New Zealand will play its part, but it is not going to overcommit itself," said Mr Goff.
Given that the Taleban had merely retreated and had not yet been defeated, New Zealand's offer of SAS troops to the campaign was still the "most relevant" contribution.
After meeting UN officials in New York, Mr Goff said New Zealand's offer of Air Force Hercules was likely to be "picked up" by the UN.
With the fleet's existing commitments in East Timor, the Solomons and the Antarctic in mind, he expected the Hercules would be flying into northern Afghanistan "some time from January".
It was not clear whether the UN would take up an offer of a medical team and Army engineers.
Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN special envoy for Afghanistan, yesterday called on UN agencies and international relief groups to rush in supplies to address a looming and grave humanitarian crisis.
He suggested using the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif as a hub. With roads unusable during winter, airlifts would be required to get aid in.
Outlining plans for political transition in the war-torn country, Mr Brahimi mooted the establishment of an all-Afghan force to ensure security during the post-Taleban vacuum.
But such a force would take time to constitute and serious consideration should be given to deploying a multinational force, he said.
"Such a presence ... could ensure security in the major cities and preserve the political space in which negotiations toward the resolution of the many problems ahead could proceed."
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Hercules set for Afghan aid role
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