Australia says no more troops for Afghanistan

Nov 5, 2009, 5:36 GMT

   Sydney - Australia told its ally the United States Thursday that it would not increase the size of it military deployment to Afghanistan.

   Defence Minister John Faulkner told senior US officials in Washington that Australia would not be adding to the 1,550 troops it already has there.

   'I've certainly indicated to those I've spoken to here in the United States over the last couple of days this number is right,' Faulkner told ABC radio.

   'There is a very clear understanding and appreciation of the fact that Australia increased the number of troops to Afghanistan very significantly on April 29 this year,' Faulkner said, referring to the deployment of an additional 450 troops.

   Australia's announcement came as US President Barrack Obama is deciding whether to adopt requests from his own generals for more troops to be sent to the conflict-racked country.

   Most of Australia's soldiers are deployed in the southern province of Oruzgan to train Afghan security personnel. Eleven have died since international troop deployments began in Afghanistan in 2001.

   Faulkner said it was impossible to win in Afghanistan unless more was done to win the 'hearts and minds' of the Afghan people.

   He said Afghan President Hamid Karzai must deliver on his intentions to provide good governance and crack down on corruption.

   'I think the challenge for the international community is to ensure that Mr Karzai does deliver in terms of that commitment,' Faulkner said.

   But he refused to be drawn on when Australia would withdraw its troops from Afghanistan, saying Australia had a mission to train and mentor an Afghan brigade and would remain until the Afghans could take responsibility for their own security.