IS THERE STILL A WAR IN AFGHANISTAN?

IS THERE STILL A WAR IN AFGHANISTAN?
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GOOD MORNING FLINT! EARLY EDITION
BY Terry Bankert 4/04/08
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Article at http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/
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The ( New Zeland) Government decided to send more troops to Afghanistan because of the deteriorating security situation there, Prime Minister Helen Clark said today.[s]

THANK YOU NEW ZEALAND

Miss Clark and Defence Minister Phil Goff announced last night that an extra 18 personnel were being sent to Afghanistan to join New Zealand's Provincial Reconstruction team, (PRT) in Bamyan Province.[s]

Clark says New Zealand is very supportive of a political process which tries to get more people to put down their guns and argue things out through politics rather than have a shootout.[T]

Americans are caught up in their partisan bickering about both wars. What is overlooked is the blood bring spilt for freedom by a varitey of international citizens.[trb]

The extra troops will be sent later this month and will lift the total strength of the PRT to a maximum of 140 personnel.[s]

PRIME MINISTER HELEN CLARK

The decision was announced by the Prime Minister Helen Clark, who is at the Nato leaders' summit on Afghanistan, taking place in Romania.[R]

TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE GREAT COUNTRY OF NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is a country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two large islands (the North Island and the South Island) and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands. The indigenous Māaori named New Zealand Aotearoa, which is usually translated into English as The Land of the Long White Cloud. The Realm of New Zealand also includes the Cook Islands and Niue, which are self-governing but in free association; Tokelau; and the Ross Dependency (New Zealand's territorial claim in Antarctica).[w]

New Zealand is notable for its geographic isolation, being separated from Australia to the northwest by the Tasman Sea, approximately 2000 kilometres (1250 miles) across. Its closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga.[w]

The population is mostly of European descent, with the indigenous Māaori being the largest minority. Asians and non-Maori Polynesians are also significant minorities, especially in the cities. Elizabeth II, as the Queen of New Zealand, is the Head of State and, in her absence, is represented by a non-partisan Governor-General. The Queen 'reigns but does not rule.' She has no real political influence, and her position is essentially symbolic.[4] Political power is held by the democratically elected Parliament of New Zealand under the leadership of the Prime Minister, who is the Head of Government.[w]

ROCKETS, DRUG TRAFFICKING AND GENERAL RISE IN CRIMINALITY

"We've been reviewing security there in recent months following a deterioration in the situation, like a rocket attack on a nearby town, increased criminal and drug trafficking elements, and last weekend an improvised explosive device targeted one of our patrols," Miss Clark said.[s]

"We made the decision to increase our numbers prior to that because of our general concern about the spillover effect of instability in other provinces into the Bamyan area."[s]

A Defence Force patrol was caught up in an attack on Sunday, when an improvised explosive device blew up in Bamyan Province.[r2]

No one was hurt, but the front lights and windscreen of one of the twin cab hilux vehicles used by the Defence Force were damaged.[r2]

National's defence spokesperson Wayne Mapp says the Government should send some of the 105 Light Amoured Vehicles it bought.[r2]

Mr Mapp says Taliban activity is increasing and Defence Minister Phil Goff should ensure that New Zealand troops have amoured equipment.[r2]

Mr Goff says the Defence Force makes operational decisions and has advised that the vehicles are not required for the humanitarian mission in Afghanistan.[r2]

BUILDING SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND OTHER SERVICES

The PRT is helping local people by setting up schools, hospitals and other essential services.[s]

Miss Clark said the PRT had been fortunate because Bamyan had been one of the most stable areas of Afghanistan.[s]

THEY MUST PROTECT THEIR OWN PEOPLE

"Nonetheless, we see the potential for that to deteriorate a little and we thought the best thing we could do was increase our ability to look after the security of our own deployment there," she said on Radio New Zealand.[s]

Miss Clark announced the new deployment at a Nato meeting she is attending in Bucharest, where Afghanistan is being discussed.[s]

"It's a very mixed picture," she said.[s]

"More children are in schools, more roads are being put in, all those are positives but we've also seen a big growth in the opposition to the Afghan government and international forces over the last couple of years.[s]

Helen Clark has become the first New Zealand prime minister to attend a NATO summit.[Z]

WHY IS DRUG PRODUCTION , THAT LEADS TO DOMINATION IN THE WORLD HEROIN DEMAND , CONTINUING IN A CONQURED COUNTRY WITH THE FREE ARMIES OF THE WORLD THERE?

"The jury is out on whether things will get better or worse."[s]

BUT AMERICANS SHOULD THANK THOSE COUNTRIES THAT ARE HELPING IN THIS CAUSE.

I suggest taking a vacation to New Zealand, tell them thank you in person!
See: http://www.newzealand.com/USA/

“Welcome to the official site of Tourism New Zealand. Plan your New Zealand vacation here - discover new places, experiences and activities plus great deals, driving routes, accommodation, New Zealand maps and more.”[tnz]

Posted here by Terry Bankert ... http://attorneybankert.com/
Join my political party of preference, http://www.michigandems.com/join.html

—
[s] Stiff.CO.NZ http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4464544a11.html
[r] Radio New Zealand News http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200804041004/4bd0e4f [Z] NEWSTALK.ZB http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=135114
[T] Tvnz.co.nz http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1685605
[R2] Radio New Zealand News http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200804020714/3cbc8265

[w] Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand [trb] Comments of Terry Bankert to include CAP hedalines http://attorneybankert.com/ [tnz] Travel New Zealand http://www.newzealand.com/USA/ 47489

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