There is a major problem with the Afghanistan war. In the last twelve months, more members of the New Zealand Defence Forces have lost their lives than any other time since deployment began. It wasn't until mid 2010 New Zealand suffered its first casualty from the war. Today, three more people lost their lives fighting a battle saturated with idealism, dripping with lies. Afghanistan has become a battle New Zealand should no longer be a part of. The Taliban poses very little threat to such a remote, distant Island nation. Leave America to fight stupid wars, the time to bring home the troops is now.
George Bush began spinning a fairy tale of deceit, claiming the war in Afghanistan to the only way to prevent terrorists from causing further damage to western civilization. Anthony Blair was easily persuaded and soon the British Army was out in full support. Rather than deter terrorists from committing heinous crimes, it served as a motivator. Here were deployments of Armies, willingly venturing into enemy territory, attempting to capture Osama Bin Laden, along with other radicals. The first New Zealand deployment to Afghanistan was with the Special Ari Service in 2001, with regular forces moving in in 2003. Soldiers worked on four month rotations, mainly conducting peacekeeping operations, while the Special Air Service conducted operations and raids behind enemy lines. While soldiers in the larger Armies began dropping fast and quick, New Zealand stayed under the radar, continuing the rather un-glamorous tasks of conducting foot patrols to reassure locals, as well as handing out aid packages.
To have not suffered any casualties until 2010 is amazing. Had it not been for the heroics of (former) Corporal Bill Henry "Willie" Apiata, New Zealand would have suffered loss of life in 2004. Facing heavy enemy fire, Apiata carried his comrade across 75 metres of heavy enemy assault so that the person could receive vital first aid, which proved the difference. He lives on to tell the tale. The sad truth of one year of maintaining troops inside this war torn nation is grim. Eight troops have died in the last year alone, two of them SAS soldiers http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5482313/New-details-as-killed-soldier-identified. When the news broke this morning of three soldiers killed in action, some serious questions towards the necessity to even be in Afghanistan were brought up. Afghanistan is a hunting ground for mass murderers; little regard for life is a cornerstone for each and every terrorist looming around.
John Key, Murray McCully and Wayne Mapp have some serious questions to answer. Why are the troops still roaming around in very dangerous areas, completely vulnerable to attacks such as roadside bombs?http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/14594994/taliban-trying-to-hunt-down-kiwis/ Nothing has come of the extended period within Afghanistan. Every passing day gives Al Qaeda a chance to murder more of New Zealand's finest and bravest young men and women. One cannot help but feel sympathy for those forced into an idealistic battle, a losing cause. Leaders who send them abroad do so in the hope it'll bolster an image a Government full of patriotism . On the contrary, it merely sends them out into the field as target practice. Think any politician could manage a day on foot patrol in Kabul? Neither. Mr. Key says withdrawing the Troops would take months and is really not worth the effort because apparently it "wouldn't be sensible, it wouldn't be practical and it wouldn't be right.We made a commitment. I don't think we are the type of country that cuts and runs." Mr. Key seems quite content to continue allowing a country to go on fighting a losing battle, squandering millions of dollars in taxpayer money for a war which poses no direct threat to New Zealand.
What value is New Zealand getting out of fighting in Afghanistan? Everyday families of soldiers live life in angst that someone close to them may fall next. Helping other countries is not a reasonable answers. Maintaining a healthy relationship with America can be achieved without spilling kiwi blood over it. If Lieutenant General Rhys Jones were asked that question, he'd likely deliver a cliched "doing it for freedom" answer. A proper assessment of the situation needs to happen now. War is a dangerous, risky and very lethal event and neither Mr. Key or Mr. Jones can give proper answers as to the reasons behind New Zealand's operations over there, they shouldn't be playing the "we're blindly loyal" card. Loyalty to a good cause is commendable. Being loyal to a cause you know will end in defeat spells out "odd" from earth and "Nutter" from Space.
Why should New Zealand remain in Afghanistan? It's not for a cause anyone in New Zealand believes in? Nobody is benefiting from constantly living in fear a roadside bomb may spell the end. People need to be resolute they do not want New Zealand's bravest throwing stones at the enemies' tank. Al Qaeda and the Taliban are not phased at all by New Zealand presence and will barely notice the Military's withdrawal. Leaving now will settle the dust. No peace has been achieved over there, so why should anyone think peace will come in the next nine months? Risking lives to hand out Aid Packages is not worth the loss of life, nor was it what the brave soldier's died for. They died fighting an war they knew they could never win. Enough already. Bring the troops home.
4 comments:
Clearly some Zealanders do support the war effort after all they enlisted to serve and even die for this effort. And the Switzerland approach is never an admirable approach.
Anonymous writes "some Zealanders so support the war effort after all they enlisted to serve and even die for this effort." No, soldiers enlisted in the Army to defend their country. Last time I checked, no threats from any terrorist group were made towards New Zealand. So why continue risking lives for a war which isn't even ours to fight with in the beginning? Switzerland acted on its National interests. Their areas of peacekeeping came under huge threat and the withdrawal of their Soldiers was done to prevent further massacres from occurring
Nothing speaks of cowardice more then looking to ones own self interest. Just because a nation is not threatened by violence is not an excuse to support ones allies. Nothing is admirable about neutrality in the face of extremists. Should we not help countries that seek freedom, Syria and Libya, like wise should not a man help his neighbor in time of hardship? Countries of the world must stand united against extreme ideology in all its forms or we risk falling victim to the whims of the violent.
Anonymous writes "nothing speaks of cowardice more then looking to ones own self interest." It was a very selfish attitude the United States had going into Iraq and sending their country into a wave of deaths and debt for a cause which was false before a single deployment began. Saddam Hussein possessed no weapons of mass destruction. I notice you mention Syria. In that case you may be interested to know that the Western countries are giving the extremist rebels all the support and love possible to implement their regime. This piffle about withdrawing not being admirable and "a man help his neighbor in time of hardship" sounds like the same yokel talk Mr. Key gave. We've been helping the Afghans and all other foreign Troops for years. Nothing has changed. If you expect to get a different result by doing the same thing, keep dreaming. Yet this is exactly what the world leaders continue to do and it isn't working. New Zealand Soldiers are more susceptible to danger with each passing day as the radicals become more dangerous. With all the "help" Afghanistan has been given, the foreign aid it receives ought to be used sensibly enough to help locals but alas it won't. I don't want my fellow kiwis being murdered in a War which isn't in their interests. Face it, every country will look at their own interests first. Wherever you are from Anonymous, your head of state will put the interests of your country ahead of my country. Of that you can be guarenteed.
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