Australian troop reductions foreshadowed for Afghanistan

BRENDAN TREMBATH: Australian troops in Afghanistan could begin coming home within two to four years. That’s the time the Defence Force considers it will take to adequately train Afghan troops in the southern Uruzgan province.

The Australians would then switch to a supervisor role and some of the troops could come home. But it depends in part on conditions on the ground.

Ashley Hall reports from Canberra.

ASHLEY HALL: When will the Federal Government withdraw troops from Afghanistan is a question the Defence Minister faces each time he fronts the media.

The questions came on Monday, when he announced that three Australian soldiers had been killed and seven injured in a helicopter crash. And they came again today.

This time, John Faulkner had an answer, of sorts.

JOHN FAULKNER: On the basis of our solid progress to date, Defence now estimates that within two to four years we will be able to transition the main security responsibility to the Afghan National Army in Uruzgan province.

It would be my expectation that on completion of the training mission, I’d expect that we would adjust our force levels as the ADF mission transitions, if you like, from a training mission to an overwatch role.

ASHLEY HALL: It’s a similar plan to what happened in Iraq, where the overwatch role lasted about 12 months.

Senator Faulkner says the main benchmark for any withdrawal of the Australian troops is the successful training of the Fourth Brigade of the Afghan National Army to take charge of security in Uruzgan province.

JOHN FAULKNER: I am deliberately not providing a precise time-frame for you. I haven’t been provided with a precise time-frame from the ADF, for very good reasons. This depends on a number of factors, not the least the conditions on the ground in Afghanistan, in Uruzgan province itself.

ASHLEY HALL: It also depends on how things work out with the new arrangements for military and civilian operations in Uruzgan province.

Since 2006, a Dutch task group has had overall control of activities there. But the Dutch government will begin withdrawing its troops in August.

JOHN FAULKNER: The new structure will involve a United States-led multinational effort under an ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) flag known as Combined Team Uruzgan.

I can categorically say that the role previously performed by our Dutch partners in Uruzgan will be more than adequately met by new Combined Team Uruzgan arrangements.

ASHLEY HALL: Along with Australia, the multinational force will include the US, Singapore and Slovakia. An Australian civilian will be appointed to head the provincial reconstruction team.

The Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says civilian support is an important part of the strategy for Afghanistan.

STEPHEN SMITH: We very much believe in the Obama strategy that this matter cannot be won by military force along. There has to be not just a military or security effort but a civilian and political effort; a reconstruction, a capacity building effort.

ASHLEY HALL: The new plans have done nothing to ease the concerns of the Greens Senate leader Bob Brown. He remains firmly opposed to Australia’s military engagement in Afghanistan.

BOB BROWN: Today’s statement is not a shadow of an exit strategy.

ASHLEY HALL: He wants a conscience vote on the issue.

BOB BROWN: And what I’m promoting here is a much more vigorous debate in the Australian Parliament. I think we owe that to our brave Australian Defence Force personnel and everybody and the civilian component, the people from our country who are helping in civilian reconstruction, including getting children to school in Afghanistan.

ASHLEY HALL: The announcements come as Barack Obama grapples with highly critical comments about his administration by the US war commander for Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal.

President Obama has summoned the general to Washington and is considering whether to fire him.

Senator Faulkner says he’s had a number of meetings and briefings with General McChrystal.

JOHN FAULKNER: I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to comment further on what’s in the press today. I do believe that that is a matter for General McChrystal and the US administration. But I repeat, I note that he’s acknowledged he shouldn’t have said what he did say. I note that he’s apologies for his error of judgement.

ASHLEY HALL: While the Defence Minister isn’t prepared to comment on the impact of General McChrystal’s comments, the Queensland Liberal Senator Russell Trood doesn’t feel so constrained.

RUSSELL TROOD: General McChrystal clearly has an important role to play because he has been so important in designing the counter-insurgency strategy and I there is great confidence I think in the strategy and I think most people on all sides, within NATO, within Afghanistan and I think here in Australia, would be reluctant to see General McChrystal depart.

ASHLEY HALL: The seven Australian soldiers wounded in the helicopter crash on Monday have now been taken to Germany for treatment. Four are said to be in a satisfactory condition. One is in a serious condition, while the condition of another is listed as very serious.

BRENDAN TREMBATH: Ashley Hall.