12 March 2007
MOD Media Statement
The New Zealand contribution to the reconstruction of Afghanistan will be expanded, and extended until September 2008 Defence Minister Phil Goff announced today.
"New Zealand's existing commitment to provide a 122 strong Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), two personnel to help train the Afghan National Army, up to five officers to serve with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Headquarters and up to four Police officers to help train the Afghan National Police, will be extended until September 2008.
"In addition to these commitments, New Zealand will also deploy a frigate to join the Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO) in the Arabian Gulf. The frigate will join the MIO for just over a month towards the end of the financial year.
"The government has also decided to respond positively to a request from the Canadian Government to contribute two medical specialists to the Multinational Medical Unit at Khandahar Airfield in Southern Afghanistan. The New Zealanders will work alongside medical staff from Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Denmark. This deployment could include a radiographer, anaesthetic technician, anaesthetist, general duty physician and a theatre nurse.
"Despite the progress that has been made in rebuilding the country to date, Afghanistan continues to require significant international assistance. Under a United Nations mandate around 70 members of the international community are continuing to work through the provision of development assistance and / or military support to ensure that Afghanistan does not revert to a failed state and again become a haven of terrorists.
"New Zealand is one of over 30 countries contributing military personnel and for more than three years, the PRT based in Bamyan has provided security and facilitated development. New Zealand's PRT is regarded as a model PRT and works in partnership with, and receives strong support from, the local Bamyan government and community", said Mr Goff.
ENDS
Contact: Jeremy Seed (press secretary) on 04 471 9794 or 021 278 7233 or email
Jeremy.seed@parliament.govt.nz
All Phil Goff’s media releases and speeches are posted at www.beehive.govt.nz