Troops to stay in Afghanistan and Bosnia

New Zealand defence forces have been in Afghanistan since 2001.

Defence Minister Phil Goff has today announced that New Zealand will extend its commitments in Afghanistan and Bosnia.

The defence force's role in the Balkans has been extended by more than a year and Mr Goff confirmed at a conference in London that troops would remain in Afghanistan.

A 46-strong infantry platoon is also leaving for the Solomon Islands from Christchurch today.

Mr Goff said on Monday that it was extremely unlikely New Zealand would increase troop numbers in Afghanistan and he confirmed that today.

His comments followed media reports the British Government was hoping New Zealand would increase its commitment to Afghanistan as it had increased its own commitment.

Responding to United Nations Security Council resolutions, New Zealand sent troops to Afghanistan in 2001.

"New Zealand remains committed to assisting Afghanistan to meet its development needs and ensure that its security contributes to the stability of the wider international community," Mr Goff told the London conference.

NZAID has allocated $15m over the next three years for ongoing reconstruction work -- additional to the $20m committed since 2001. New Zealand police are training and mentoring Afghan police officers in Bamyan.

Meanwhile, the deployment of defence force staff officers serving in Bosnia will be extended for another 14 months from March 1, Mr Goff said after meeting British Defence Secretary John Reid.

New Zealand currently has a Liaison and Observation Team (LOT) of up to 10 personnel, and three staff officers serving alongside British counterparts as part of the European Union Force mission.

The LOT performs a range of duties including surveillance, security assessments, observation duties, and liaison with inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations.

New Zealand has had a commitment to peacekeeping in Bosnia since 1992.

"Our deployments in Bosnia have been of considerable value to the defence force. Personnel have enjoyed the challenge of their work there, while the years of operating alongside the British have been of considerable value in further strengthening links between the two forces," Mr Goff said.

The troops in the Solomons will be based in Honiara for three months.

New Zealand's first rotation there served from November 2004 to February 2005. Troops from Australia, Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea are also in the Solomons this rotation.

"While there is still a long way to go, the work that we are doing in the Solomons, alongside counterparts from Australia and other Pacific nations, has pulled that country back from the brink of anarchy and created the basis for national recovery," Mr Goff said.

- NZPA