Secret NZ soldiers win US honours

New Zealand's top military unit, the Special Air Service, has been honoured by US President George W. Bush for its involvement in the war in Afghanistan.

The New Zealand Government last night confirmed that the secretive SAS unit received a unit citation and a personal commendation for its commander, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Kelly, from the United States.

The Government has been tight-lipped about SAS involvement in the conflict.

Defence Force press officer Commander Sandy McKie last night confirmed that President Bush presented the citation to the SAS. She said Colonel Kelly received it in San Diego. 

Helen Clark's spokesman, Mike Munro, said the Defence Force told the Prime Minister's office about the award a week ago. He did not know whether she planned to make a public announcement.

The LawFuel.com website reported that President Bush gave the award on December 7 in recognition of the SAS contribution to the American-led war in Afghanistan.

LawFuel, an independent international news service for lawyers run from New Zealand, said the unit citation was given by President Bush to members of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, consisting of units from the United States, New Zealand, Canada, Denmark, Germany and Norway.

Helen Clark said in March that an SAS unit would carry out direct action and long-range reconnaissance missions during a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

She said in the first week of April that up to 50 SAS troops had gone to Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister has consistently refused to reveal the scope of SAS activity in Afghanistan. But documents leaked from Defence Force headquarters in May said the troops would take part in combat missions under the control of American forces.

Their activities would include quick strikes and other small-scale offensive operations. They would also engage in raids, ambushes, direct assaults, attacks from the air, ground or sea, guide "precision weaponry", and conduct independent sabotage and "anti-ship" operations.

The SAS troops would help American forces to assess enemy activities, secure data on particular areas and engage in post-strike reconnaissance. 

A little more information about the SAS unit came when two of its soldiers were wounded in Afghanistan in June during a pre-dawn raid with other forces. A unit commander revealed that the forces were operating on their own in and were "a long, long way from the normal conventional forces".

Mr Munro said it was unlikely President Bush's award would result in more information being revealed.

National Party defence spokesman John Carter said he did not know about the award, but it came as no surprise.

"They are outstanding individuals who have done us proud," he said. It was great that another country had recognised their contribution.

The Green Party's defence spokesman, Keith Locke, said the award put the Government in an embarrassing position. It highlighted New Zealand's involvement in a "dirty war" fought alongside American troops.