Sydney
29 April 2009
Australian soldiers of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) keep guard on top of armored vehicles, in Tirin Kot, the capital of Uruzgan province (File) |
Australia has responded to diplomatic pressure from U.S. President Obama for America's allies to increase their military contribution to the war in Afghanistan.
The additional Australian forces will help train the Afghan army and provide security for a presidential election in August.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says it is clear that security in Afghanistan is deteriorating.
Australia's involvement in the campaign against Taliban insurgents is proving to be increasingly unpopular with voters following a string of combat deaths. Mr. Rudd, however, said Wednesday that winning the war is his country's best interests.
Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, 30 Mar 2009 |
Ten Australian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, four of them since last November.
Australia is the biggest contributor to the U.S.-led coalition outside of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Prime Minister Rudd has been calling for other NATO countries to do more to help defeat the Taliban. He noted Wednesday that Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain had all agreed to send more troops since President Obama ordered a troop surge earlier this year.
Australia's extra forces will boost its current contingent of about 1,100 Australian troops in Afghanistan.