US President Barack Obama has urged those wavering on the mission in
Afghanistan to see the job through.
Speaking at a press conference with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard,
Mr Obama said a transition process was now under way to allow Afghans to build
their capacity and take on a greater security role over the next two years.
But he said it was important to do it right.
Mr Obama said he had just announced that all US troops would finallywithdraw
from Iraq.
Given his longstanding opposition to the US involvement in Iraq, he said it
was tempting to direct an immediate withdrawal on taking office.
"But what I recognised was that if we weren't thoughtful about how we
proceed, then the enormous sacrifices made by our men and women in the previous
years might be for nought," he said.
"And what I'd say to the Australian people at this point is given the
enormous investment that has been made and the signs that we can in fact leave
behind a country that is not perfect but one that is more stable, more secure
and does not provide safe haven for terrorists, it's appropriate for us to
finish the job and do it right."
New Zealand has nearly 200 troops in Afghanistan, including 38 SAS soldiers
in Kabul.
NZN