"I've been discussing these issues with the chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, and obviously it's a critically important matter for me," he said. Mr Faulkner admitted that Australia's move would affect the push by Gen McChrystal. John Faulkner Australian Defence Minister "I've certainly asked the Australian Defence Force for any recommendations they have about ensuring we do complete that important role and responsibility both effectively, but in the shortest time-frame possible," Mr Faulkner told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says the troop withdrawal could still be years away.īut he says Australia appears to be signalling that it will not send additional troops, following the call for reinforcements by Gen Stanley McChrystal, who heads US and foreign troops in Afghanistan.Īustralia has confirmed that the soldiers it deployed to provide security during elections in August would stay for the presidential run-off next month. The Australian review comes as the top allied general in Afghanistan has called for a large troops increase.Īustralia has the largest non-Nato troop presence in the country. The announcement is seen as the clearest signal so far that Australia may withdraw its 1,500 troops deployed in Afghanistan earlier than expected.
BBC NEWS AFGHANISTAN HOW TO
There are more than 1,500 Australian troops in AfghanistanĪustralian Defence Minister John Faulkner has asked for recommendations on how to complete operations in Afghanistan as early as possible.
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