US general supports NZ's Afghanistan efforts

General Petraeus, flanked by NZPRT Senior Military Advisor Lieutenant Colonel Hugh McAslan, was welcomed onto Kiwibase with a powhiri and and haka performed by the team's Maori cultural group. Photo / supplied

US General David Petraeus has visited New Zealand's Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan province Afghanistan where he confirmed his support for moves towards the scaling down of New Zealand's presence in the area.

General Petraeus, commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and US Forces in Afghanistan met with NZPRT director Dick Newlands, the team's senior military advisor Lieutenant Colonel Hugh McAslan, and other key NZPRT staff, as well as Bamyan Governor, Habiba Sarabi, and other Provincial Government officials last week, NZ Defence said.

Lieutenant Colonel McAslan said the visit was very productive and General Petraeus had asked what he could do to support the NZPRT and Bamyan as one of the first provinces to move towards transition.

The approximately 140 strong NZPRT has been aiding reconstruction efforts and providing security in Bamyan since 2003. Its presence in the province, where Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell was killed in a roadside ambush in August last year, is due to be phased down with and gradually replaced by civilian personel.

"General Petraeus confirmed his support for a number of initiatives proposed by Governor Sarabi and the NZPRT to support the transition process," said Lieutenant Colonel McAslan.

"The largely stable security environment in Bamyan has allowed the economy to develop and grow which provides a better standard of living for the citizens of the province."

General Petraeus was welcomed onto Kiwibase with a powhiri and and haka performed by the team's Maori cultural group and he personally thanked each member while presenting them with his personal commemorative coin.