Prime Minister Helen Clark renewed her support for a
multi-pronged strategy on Afghanistan, as Cabinet approved the
deployment of an extra 18 troops to the troubled country.
The deployment of the additional troops to the Bamyan province
will lift the total number of New Zealand personnel deployed to
140.
A suicide bombing at a US army base in Afghanistan has shown that security there remains fragile as world leaders gathered in Bucharest for the largest-ever NATO conference, with the war-torn nation top of the agenda.
Although not a NATO member, New Zealand is one of 14 non-NATO countries invited to attend the summit.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon reminded attendees the cost of disengagement would be far greater than the cost of engagement.
With that in mind, the US wants another 10,000 troops to boost the 47,000 already on the ground, claiming a greater force is needed to counter increasing Taliban activity.
It's offering 3,500 soldiers, with the French indicating they would send as many as 1,000.
Australia is maintaining its 1000-strong commitment, but Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is castigating European countries for not doing more, as well as deploying those troops they do send in safer zones.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Phil Goff said he was sure Australia's comments were not directed at New Zealand.
"Proportionally on a per capita basis, we've been providing a higher level than most other countries."
Australian, British and US troops remain stationed in the most dangerous spots, while New Zealand and other European countries patrol the more stable central and northern zones.
The threat level in the Bamyan province has been classified as "medium". Just last week, a New Zealand vehicle was damaged by an explosive.
Clark said the solution to Afghanistan needs to be more than military.
She said NATO has taken this point on board and New Zealand has been putting input into the strategy being released from the summit.
"In essence it covers a commitment to the non-military aspects like development assistance and supporting better governance and transparency and less corruption in the Afghan government."
While the new soldiers will boost security, Clark says the focus is still on reconstruction.
"We are very supportive of a political process which tries to get more people to put down their guns and try to get involved in politics rather than shootouts. There is no exclusively military solution to Afghanistan's problems."
However, it is clear the military commitment there is going to
be a long-term one. Some countries have already made it clear they
are unwilling to boost their troop numbers in Afghanistan, offering
cash and weapons instead.
