Obama orders final Afghan push

President Barack Obama, in a defining moment of his presidency, announced yesterday that he would deepen the US involvement in Afghanistan, sending 30,000 more troops to fight the Taleban despite Americans' growing pessimism about the war.

He pledged the first troops would return home by July 2011 and stressed Afghan forces would be rapidly trained to take over the fight. He also called for additional commitments from US allies and promised to strengthen ties with Pakistan, where al Qaeda and Taleban fighters have been based.

The troop buildup will begin almost immediately - the first Marines will be in place this month - and will cost $30 billion for the first year alone. Following previous troop increases, it will almost triple the force Mr Obama inherited on taking office in January.

"I do not make this decision lightly," he said. "I make this decision because I am convinced that our security is at stake in Afghanistan and Pakistan."

He also indicated there would be a request for increases in troops from Nato partners, but Prime Minister John Key said last night he did not expect to increase New Zealand's commitment to Afghanistan. New Zealand had already redeployed the SAS there, "so it is not my expectation that New Zealand will be changing or increasing its commitment to Afghanistan".

"We feel we are punching above our weight for a small country," the Prime Minister said after being briefed on Mr Obama's speech.

New Zealand also has a provincial reconstruction team in Bamiyan province which will be slowly replaced with civilian aid.

Mr Key welcomed the news that 30,000 additional troops would be sent to the troubled country.

"I think they will be necessary to stabilise Afghanistan and, like the Americans, New Zealand also wants to promote an appropriate way to exit Afghanistan."

Asked if he was expecting a direct request from the United States, Mr Key said that was possible.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully is attending a meeting in Brussels this week of foreign ministers from International Security Assistance Force countries.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to attend.

"Afghanistan is not lost, but for several years it has moved backwards," Mr Obama said. "There's no imminent threat of the government being overthrown, but the Taleban has gained momentum."

He said his new policy was designed to "bring this war to a successful conclusion," though he made no mention of defeating Taleban insurgents or capturing al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: AP