By JOHN ARMSTRONG, Political editor
New Zealand's military has joined the fighting in Afghanistan.
Two Air Force Hercules flying there are thought to have been carrying SAS troops into the war zone.
The exact nature of this week's deployment of the C-130 transport aircraft is shrouded in secrecy, and the Prime Minister is refusing to disclose operational details.
The mission, which was last night provoking further uproar in the Alliance, is officially described as providing "logistical support" for the United States-led force.
It was revealed by Helen Clark after yesterday's cabinet meeting.
But she mentioned it in passing, instead preferring to highlight a separate announcement that another Hercules would be sent to Afghanistan in February to ferry food and other relief supplies.
"I'm not in a position to say what they are doing," Helen Clark said.
She would confirm only that the deployment was an "active military operation" and the planes would be in Afghanistan for the rest of the week.
The mission follows close liaison between New Zealand Defence Force chiefs and American commanders coordinating Operation Enduring Freedom against the Taleban and Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network.
Helen Clark's statement fulfils obligations under the United Nations Charter requiring countries to tell the Security Council of the "employment of military assets" in Afghanistan.
Government sources said that indicated that the Hercules were carrying the 30 or so SAS soldiers offered by New Zealand to the US-led war on terrorism.
Ministers still refuse to confirm or deny whether the troops might have been in Afghanistan at an earlier stage of the fighting.
Helen Clark said the deployment had been approved by a five-minister subcommittee chaired by her which has authority delegated by the wider cabinet.
The subcommittee includes Alliance leader Jim Anderton, whose party is split over New Zealand's contribution to the war.
Asked if the Hercules' mission had the support of the Alliance, Helen Clark replied: "Sits fine."
Mr Anderton indicated that he was expecting a backlash from some Alliance activists who are understood to be furious about the dispatch of the Hercules.
But he said sending the aircraft was in line with October's parliamentary motion endorsing the offer of SAS troops "and other assistance".
"I am entirely comfortable with that," he said, adding that New Zealand's contribution remained under review by the Alliance caucus.
The caucus meets this morning with the deployment certain to re-open wounds only a week after the party's ruling council sought to close them.
Alliance president Matt McCarten, who opposes the SAS deployment, had no warning of yesterday's announcement.
He was reluctant to comment, but said he had spoken to Mr Anderton and the issue was now on today's caucus agenda.
"Let's get the facts first," he said.
Meanwhile, the World Food Programme has accepted New Zealand's offer of a Hercules to deliver humanitarian supplies to Afghanistan.
The plane will be deployed, with supporting personnel, from February for up to six months.
It will help move food, equipment and aid workers, into Afghanistan from surrounding countries.
The aircraft, which will be under the direction of the World Food Programme, will be painted white in the UN humanitarian air service livery during the operation.
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