Doorstop Interview, Perth
Transcript, E&OE
21 February 2010
STEPHEN SMITH: Just some quick comments on Oruzgan Province. You'd of course be aware that in the last 24 hours the Dutch Government has collapsed as a result of differences within the coalition over the Netherlands' ongoing military presence in Oruzgan Province.
Previously the Dutch had determined that they would start their wind-down of their military contribution in Oruzgan Province from August of this year.
It is of course in the first instance a matter for the Dutch Government, for the new Dutch Government to resolve its military presence in Oruzgan, whether that is ongoing or on a different timetable from that determined by the Balkenende Government.
Secondly, so far as the leadership of the military effort in Oruzgan Province is concerned, the Dutch have been in the leadership for some time. We've been working very closely with them. We are great respecters of the contribution that they have made but, in the absence of the Dutch, Australia has made it clear to NATO and to the International Security Assistance Forces that Australia is not in a position to take up the lead in Oruzgan Province.
We've made this clear to NATO, as we have to the United States.
So it's a matter for NATO to resolve issues of leadership in Oruzgan Province and we're confident that that particular issue is in hand.
More generally we admire the contribution that the Dutch have made in Oruzgan Province and in Afghanistan, not just on the military front but they are also substantial development assistance partners and contributors. We will await the formation of the new Dutch Government and the new Dutch Government's decisions in respect of ongoing presence in Oruzgan Province.
ENDS
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