PM defies call to end Afghan role

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Photo / AP

Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday confirmed Australia's continued commitment to Afghanistan, indicating that special forces may remain after other troops are withdrawn in 2014.

Despite growing calls for a deadline for final withdrawal, Gillard told Parliament that while most of the 1500 troops would return as security was handed back to Afghan forces within three years, "we will be engaged through this decade at least".

"Australia will not abandon Afghanistan," she said.

Gillard's assessment of the war also rejected calls by the commander of Afghan troops being trained by Australians to quit the country immediately, leaving behind sophisticated combat equipment.

It came as the Government announced further improvements to its Afghan troops' war-fighting ability, including upgraded helmets and new bunker-busting Carl Gustav 84mm guns.

These are part of a A$1.6 billion ($2 billion) boost to the deployment that has covered new body armour, longer-range machineguns, systems to counter Taleban rocket attacks, upgraded vehicles, ground-penetrating radars on trucks to detect roadside bombs, and unmanned surveillance aircraft.

But Greens MP Adam Bandt yesterday introduced a motion calling on the Government to set a final deadline for withdrawal.

"At a time when the United States has set a timetable for withdrawal we seem to be going in the other direction." he said.

"That goes completely against the will of the Australian people."

Polls have consistently shown that a majority of Australians oppose a war that has killed 32 Diggers and wounded more than 200 others.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday that Afghan Brigadier-General Mohammed Zafar Khan had said his National Army soldiers were capable of providing security in Oruzgan province, despite the fact that Australia has said it could take another three years to train them adequately.

The main task of the Australians is to train and mentor the Afghan National Army's 4th Brigade in the province.

In an interview with the newspaper, Zafar said he had repeatedly and unsuccessfully asked Australian and coalition officials, including Defence Minister Stephen Smith, to give the Afghans equipment for night vision and capability to counter improvised explosive devices, artillery and access to medical evacuation helicopters.

"Three years is too much time for the Australians to stay here," he said.

"The only thing we are short of is some of the modern equipment, mine detectors, night vision, and if we had these things, like medical evacuation choppers to go and pick people up from the battlefield, we are ready at this moment to take the security of Oruzgan."

But Gillard said the future of the Australian deployment would depend on "realistic assessments".

She said the Afghan 4th Brigade was increasingly assuming the lead for planning and preparation of operations, becoming more capable and professional and beginning the process of transition.

"The timing to complete transition in Oruzgan is not yet decided, but given the progress we now see, it may well be complete before the end of 2014," Gillard said.

"And once our mission to train and mentor the 4th Brigade is complete, we will draw down the number of ADF personnel in the country. We will not allow a security vacuum in the province."

Gillard said the Government would keep under consideration a continued special forces presence beyond 2014.

"Australians well understand that days of progress and days of sorrow still lie ahead."