Withdraw SAS troops from Afghanistan, Greens say

New Zealand's SAS contingent should be withdrawn from Afghanistan because of the American bombing of a wedding party, the Green Party said today.

Defence spokesman Keith Locke said this country should not be associated with "such trigger happy behaviour" and he wanted an assurance that New Zealand troops were not involved in the operation that saw the air strike called in.

"Our SAS troops should be withdrawn immediately. We don't want New Zealand's good name muddied by association with such Rambo-like behaviour," he said in a statement.

"Any assistance we give Afghanistan should be in reconstruction aid, not in helping the American war effort."

Mr Locke said a withdrawal of troops would be raised in any post-election coalition talks with Labour.

He said up to 100 innocent civilians had been slaughtered in today's bombing attack. Latest reports say the death toll was at least 30.

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff criticised Mr Locke and said his suggestion that New Zealand should opt out of the international campaign against terrorism was not on.

He did not like Mr Locke's comment about raising the issue in coalition talks either.

"It further highlights the difficulty Labour would have if placed in the position of reliance for support on the Greens," Mr Goff said.

"The withdrawal of military forces from Afghanistan would immediately put at risk all progress which has been made in Afghanistan towards establishing a legitimate and popularly supported government, and the rebuilding of that country after 20 years of war."

Mr Goff said the mistaken bombing of civilians was a tragedy and every effort had to be made to learn from the mistake.

"It does not, however, follow as Mr Locke apparently believes that withdrawal of New Zealand and international forces would save lives.

"Many more people would die if chaos were to result from a vacuum left by the departure of coalition forces."

- NZPA

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