Asia-Pacific

Australia says no early Afghan exit, holds war debate

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-10-19 10:49

CANBERRA-- Australia's government rejected calls on Tuesday for an immediate withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan ahead of a parliamentary debate on involvement in the war that could strain support for its minority rule.

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Defence Minister Stephen Smith said Canberra was committed to keeping troops in Afghanistan for at least two to four more years, rejecting calls for an early pullout from anti-war Green lawmakers lending support to the minority Labor government.

"I don't talk in terms of an exit strategy," Smith told local radio. "We can't be there forever. We don't want to be there forever. But we do need to leave the Afghan security forces in a position where they can manage their own affairs."

Australia has around 1,550 troops in Afghanistan, based mainly at Tirin Kot in southern Uruzgan province, and is the largest non-NATO member of the international coalition fighting Taliban insurgents in the country.

But it has taken a hung parliament and a mounting number of troops deaths, now totalling 21, as well as softening public support for the war, to trigger a debate among lawmakers on the worsening conflict.

The influential Greens, who supported Gillard's Labor after tied August 21 elections, want a withdrawal of Australian troops from Afghanistan as soon as possible.

Both Gillard and conservative opposition leader Tony Abbott will recommit to keeping forces in the country, with some senior conservatives even calling for greater numbers of troops and equipment, including tanks and attack helicopters.

But backbench lawmakers on both sides were expected to question Australia's strategy and back calls from a former military forces chief for a clear exit strategy. Former soldiers also protested against the war in front of parliament.

Mistakes had been made by U.S. and NATO-led forces in the war strategy, Smith said, including taking too long to realise that military efforts needed reinforcing with measures to win over Afghan civilians and switch control to Afghan security forces.

"The transition (to Afghan control) will be uneven. It will mean different times, timetables and different circumstances in different parts of Afghanistan. In Uruzgan province, we continue to believe that can be done in a 2-4 year time," Smith said.

While the government needed Green support for major legislative aims, including plans for a mining tax and a price on carbon, the two sides differed on Afghanistan strategy, he said.

"Of course I expect there will be a range of views. That will be a good thing," Smith said.

(Reporting by Rob Taylor; Editing by Sugita Katyal)