Key cautious on troops in Afghanistan

The Government would consider a request to increase New Zealand's military commitment to Afghanistan if it is made when Foreign Minister Murray McCully meets US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Prime Minister John Key said yesterday.

Mr McCully is in Washington and is to meet Secretary Clinton early tomorrow.

Mr Key said it would be the first high-level discussion between President Barack Obama's new Administration and the New Zealand Government.

He said the talks would be wide-ranging, and he expected there would be a discussion about Afghanistan because the Obama Administration had made it clear it wanted Nato and other countries to increase their commitments.

Mr Key was asked what the answer would be if New Zealand was asked for more troops.

"They won't get an answer then and there," he said.

"We will consider their request and that's about the best I can say."

Mr Key announced in February that New Zealand's military commitment was being extended by a year to September 2010 at a cost of $41.5 million.

- NZPA