Soldier's death won't prompt Afghan pullout

BY MICHAEL FIELD, MICHAEL FOX AND CLAIRE TREVETT

The death of a New Zealand soldier in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, is no surprise and the province is not as peaceful as it has been portrayed, Prime Minister John Key says.

But the attack was not grounds for an early withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, he said.

Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell, 28, was this morning killed in an attack while patrolling a main highway in Bamiyan, the Defence Force said.

Two others were wounded and a local interpreter in the patrol was also injured in the attack, which lasted 20 to 30 minutes, it said.

Ten to 12 soldiers - in three vehicles - were involved.

A "substantial" blast from an improvised explosive device - an IED - was followed by "accurate" small arms and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) fire from two positions.

Air Vice Marshal Peter Stockwell told a press conference in Wellington one of the wounded men suffered burns to 10 per cent of his body as well as cuts and abrasions.

The second suffered cuts and abrasions, and what is believed to be a broken foot.

The attack, on a routine patrol in north-east Bamiyan Province, was described as ''well planned and co-ordinated''.

It was not known whether any insurgents, believed to be either Taliban or criminal elements, were killed in the exchange of fire.

Kiwi troops took shelter in a building after the ambush.

Assistance was given by other Kiwi and local troops after the attack.

Low cloud meant air support could not be brought in.

The wounded men had to be evacuated by road to the New Zealand base, a process which took around 11 hours.

Mr Key has spoken to Lieutenant O'Donnell's mother and expressed his sorrow on behalf of New Zealand. He said she had asked him to pass on her sympathies also to the family of the injured two.

"I think that shows extraordinary bravery and courage on her part and also the strength of the wider military family when such a tragedy takes place."

The Air Vice Marshal said he spoke to Lieutenant O'Donnell's mother this morning.

"It would be fair to say that he was what could be described as a free spirit, he pushed boundaries. That was very much part of his personality."

He said: "This is the event we didn't want to happen."

The team in Afghanistan were "responding well, they are getting on with their business," he said.

"They're looking after the wounded, and Tim, and continue to provide a difference in Bamiyan."

Defence Force efforts have now turned to bringing the dead soldier's body home. The wounded soldiers had been evacuated.

Mateparae said the attack would not prevent soldiers returning to the area.

"Our abilities to provide support to the people of Bamiyan is one we need to engage."

BAMIYAN 'NOT QUITE SO PEACEFUL'

Key told reporters in Vanuatu, where he is attending the Pacific Islands Forum, that the attack had happened on the north-east border of Bamiyan, an area he said was known for insurgent action.

"This attack had taken place in the area that was identified to me when I was there as the area where there has been previous skirmishes. This isn't the first skirmish but tragically it has ended in the loss of life of a New Zealand soldier."

He said Bamiyan was more dangerous than it had been portrayed, and soldiers had told him of their own experiences.

"What struck me in Bamiyan was it wasn't quite the peaceful place everyone had argued to me that it was, and that's because it's not uniform.

"In the area where our base camp was where New Zealanders have been working extensively on schools and reconstruction of hospitals and the like, for the most part it is a relatively safe environment. But it became very clear to me that there was heightened activity and a greater degree of insurgency activity in that north east pocket.

"So I wasn't surprised when I was told that a New Zealander was killed there last night. I immediately said I assume it's taken place in that part."

He said the success of the mission should not be judged from one incident and he had been assured that New Zealand forces have the right equipment, tactics and procedures for the new conditions they now face.

"In my view Bamiyan represents the best possibility for the ISAF [International Security Assistance Force] and coalition forces to make a genuine handover. You have strong governance in Bamiyan and a build up of police from the local Afghan nationals which can and should be able to manage that situation."

He said one of the reasons he had indicated some months ago that New Zealand's withdrawal would be slower than initially intended was because of concerns about security in the area where the soldier was killed.

"New Zealand remains committed to trying to ensure Afghanistan is no longer a hot bed and breeding ground for terrorism. I think the work we've done there in both the Provincial Reconstruction Team and the SAS have played an important part in trying to restore a sense of order in Afghanistan. None of us have ever underestimated the challenge and nor do we today."

KEY REJECTS EARLY WITHDRAWAL

Key did not believe the death was a reason to withdraw New Zealand troops from Afghanistan early. New Zealand had been in Bamiyan since 2003 and Key believed it was an example of where control could successfully be handed back to the Afghanistan Government.

"We've been working to make that a reality."

New Zealand was in the process of reducing its military personnel in Bamiyan and it was Key's view that we should see the job through.

"It's not my view that we should withdraw from Afghanistan quicker as a result of today's tragic events. I think we owe it to the thousands of New Zealanders who have served in Bamiyan in the last seven or eight years to see the job done and be in a position to hand back control.

"We will continue to monitor the situation. The military will reflect on what has taken place overnight and we will review the facts and ensure we have the right settings and tactics and equipment in place."

POLITICAL RESPONSE

The Prime Minister released a statement this morning after being told of the death at 1.30am.

"This is New Zealand's first combat loss in Afghanistan and reinforces the danger faced daily by our forces as they work tirelessly to restore stability to the province," he said.

"It is with enormous sadness that I acknowledge that this soldier has paid a high price and my thoughts are with his family and the families of the injured."

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp attended a press conference with Mateparae this morning and offered his sincerest condolences to the soldier's family.

Labour leader Phil Goff, whose  American-born nephew was killed while serving with the United States Army in Afghanisatan in 2007, said Lieutenant O'Donnell's death would be deeply felt by his family and friends.

"I certainly feel very strongly the emotions that Tim's family will be feeling at this time. It's an absolute tragedy to lose the life of a young man with so much ahead of him, that had shown his courage in previous deplyoments, that had served his country well and now has died well before his time."

Mr Goff, who was highly critical of the Government's decision to redeploy the SAS to Afghanistan last year, would not be drawn on whether he thought the PRT should also be withdrawn now.

''This is not the time for politics around the ongoing deployment of New Zealand soldiers ... this is the time to mourn the loss of life of a young soldier who died serving his country. I think any politics around whether we should continue to be there or not needs to be left for another day.''

Green Party defence spokesman Keith Locke expressed the party's condolences.

SAS DECISION THIS YEAR

Key said the Government had to decide by the end of the year whether to keep a smaller number of SAS troops in Kabul after the deployment ended in March next year.

He said the SAS was working in Kabul with the Crisis Response Unit and it was yet to be decided whether they would need to be replaced in the future by another countries' forces.

"At this stage the SAS are due to come home in March and they will, either in totality or the bulk of them will return. We haven't made that decision on whether there will be a small contingent left. That's partly to do with what happens to that Crisis Response Unit and whether they need further support from other international forces."

Asked if he expected US assistant secretary of state Kurt Campbell to raise the issue of extending the SAS deployment during his visit to Wellington today, he said there had never been pressure from the Americans or other coalition forces. He said the decision was driven by New Zealand's own forces there. "And they are seeing the capability of the Crisis Response Unit. Their concern, having worked very hard for 18 months to build up the capability, is about walking out just before the job is completed."

NZ IN AFGHANISTAN

New Zealand has around 140 Army, Navy and Air Force personnel as part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) operating in Bamiyan Province.

North-west of the capital Kabul, the area has been regarded as much quieter than the south and east of the country.

The sixteenth rotation of the PRT, commanded by Colonel John Boswell, arrived in Afghanistan in April and was expected to remain in the country for about six months.

Today's death coincides with a whistle stop visit to Wellington by US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, who is due to hold a series of meetings with senior Government ministers before heading to the Pacific Forum in Vanuatu where he will meet Prime Minister John Key and other Pacific leaders.

The US has repeatedly expressed its thanks to New Zealand for its ongoing military contribution in Afghanistan.

Key visited Bamiyan earlier this year, and the Government has announced that the PRT will extend their secondment until September, 2011.

The force works on maintaining security in Bamyan Province, and carries out frequent patrols throughout the area.

It also supports the provincial and local government by providing advice and assistance to the Provincial Governor, the Afghan National Police and district sub-governors.

The PRT also identifies, prepares and provides project management for NZAID projects within the region.

It consists of four liaison (LNO) teams supported by infantry, engineers, staff officers, communications and logistic staff.

The first PRT deployment to Afghanistan departed in August, 2003, on a four month rotation.

New Zealand also has 80 Special Air Service soldiers in Kabul.

- with NZPA, TRACY WATKINS, and MARTIN KAY

- © Fairfax NZ News