New Zealand's ambassador to the US said the deaths of two Kiwi troops in Afghanistan should not necessitate an early withdrawal from the war-torn country.
Mike Moore, a former prime minister, told TVNZ's Q + A programme today it was important for New Zealand to be true to its word.
"I think the important thing with the America situation is that your word is good and that you're predictable, and you say, 'We're here. We're coming out [of Afghanistan] next year or the year after that. We have this joint venture. Our word is good'.''
New Zealand soldiers Pralli Durrer and Rory Malone, both 26-years old, were killed during an ambush in Bamiyan Province earlier this month.
Prime Minister John Key has said that New Zealand troops "remain on track'' to leave Afghanistan some time next year.
