PM given no-torture promise

ANDREW GORRIE/The Dominion Post

ASSURANCE GIVEN: "I've received verbal assurances from the Afghan Government that anyone that we hand over will be treated humanely and under the Geneva Convention," Mr Key said.

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Prime Minister John Key received promises from the Afghan Government that prisoners handed over by Kiwi troops will not be tortured, before a detachment of 71 Special Air Service soldiers headed there for combat.

The assurance follows claims that prisoners caught by Kiwi SAS troops in 2002 were mistreated after being handed to the Americans, who have since ceded control to the Afghan Government itself accused of torture and atrocities.

"I've received verbal assurances from the Afghan Government that anyone that we hand over will be treated humanely and under the Geneva Convention. There's a very clear understanding ..." Mr Key said yesterday.

The SAS force and a temporary support group arrived in Afghanistan at the weekend. As with other deployments, details of its whereabouts and activities will be kept secret from the New Zealand public, though Mr Key said any casualties would be announced.

It is the SAS's fourth deployment since 2002 and is expected to last up to 18 months. Unlike the other three, the SAS's return is not supported by both main parties.

Labour leader Phil Goff warned the deployment would drag New Zealand into what is now a civil war between the Taleban and Afghan Government rather than the original fight against al Qaeda terrorists.

There are also questions about the legitimacy of the Afghan Government after vote-rigging allegations against president Hamid Karzai, who claimed victory in recent elections despite a United Nations watchdog ordering a recount of up to 500,000 ballots.

"I think a growing number of people in New Zealand and elsewhere ... are concerned that we would be sending our people to die for a regime that we don't believe is an effective governor of Afghanistan," Mr Goff said.

Mr Key acknowledged concerns about the elections, but said he did not seek advice on the issue before authorising the deployment.

He brushed off suggestions he should have waited for the final result to avoid any perception New Zealand was propping up an illegitimate government. "... we are supporting that administration as we seek to try and stabilise Afghanistan.

"I think the alternative is that we are left with a country where control is ceded to the Taleban, where in all probability more terrorist activities will be planned and schemes will be hatched, and I don't believe that's in the world's best interest."

The SAS soldiers will be under the control of Nato's international security assistance force, but Defence Force chief Jerry Mateparae retains full command through the SAS commander in the field.

Mr Goff said New Zealand efforts should stay focused on the provincial reconstruction team in Bamyan, where there was a stable and effective government and local support for their presence.

He said the situation had changed significantly since the last deployment in 2005.

"We decided after 2005 that the more effective contribution for New Zealand was the provincial reconstruction team, where our troops in Bamyan were doing a good job and were supported by the local people."

Greens defence spokesman Keith Locke said Kiwi troops were risking their lives for a "corrupt government" there.

- with NZPA

- © Fairfax NZ News