Kiwis split over SAS return to Afghanistan 

Source: ONE News

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A new poll shows New Zealand is divided over whether to send elite SAS soldiers back to Afghanistan.

The government is facing increasing pressure from the United States to play a bigger role in the front-line battle against the Taliban.

This comes as Britain completes the first stage of its biggest offensive against the Taliban in the Helmand Province, south Afghanistan.

With the toll at 67, July has been the deadliest month for international forces since the war in Afghanistan began eight years ago.

But a new poll shows New Zealanders have mixed feelings about sending elite SAS soldiers back into the combat zone after an absence of six years.

From the survey of 500 people, 47% were in favour, 44% were opposed and 9% did not know.

That is food for thought for Prime Minister John Key who is under increasing pressure from the United States to boost New Zealand's contribution.

He is calling it a "line ball call".

"New Zealanders take our responsibilities on the international stage seriously," Key says.

"We've never been a country that's backed away from that.

"On the other side of the coin, everyone recognises the dangers in Afghanistan and this is a balancing act."

But the SAS has been to Afghanistan three times since 2003 and experts believe a fourth tour should not cause such a rift.

"What that suggests to me ... is that the government has still got ... to explain to New Zealanders why fighting in Afghanistan, why joining the war on terror in Afghanistan, is in our national interest," says Victoria University Defence Lecturer Lance Beath.

"We should not view this as something we are doing for the Americans."

New Zealanders are far happier about the country's existing contribution to Afghanistan - 140 troops dedicated to security and reconstruction rather than fighting.

More than 60% of people agree with the government's call to keep them there through to September 2010.

And that is more than enough, according to Labour.

"Training the Afghans to take over where we've left off, not using the SAS but our ordinary defence for personnel as we have over the past six years, seems to me to be a good option," says Labour leader Phil Goff.

The government will make a decision on the SAS commitment when a review of New Zealand's role in the war-torn country is completed next month.

The poll had a margin of error of 4.5%.