Afghan army an Afghan government responsibility


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10 November 2011

Afghan army an Afghan government responsibility

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Brett Sprague

When a concerning pattern starts to emerge involving the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Government must represent the people of Australia with the full force of all the instruments of power within its disposal.

There can be no equivocation when there is a threat to the morale and wellbeing of our troops. Although seemingly unrelated and isolated events, the attacks by the Afghan National Army members on our soldiers is a high order threat. Our Government seems to recognise the seriousness of the threat but offers little in response other than repeating the mantra “staying the course”, “not quitting and running” etc.

Our Government must demand more on behalf of the Australian people in these circumstances, and it must demand it of the Afghan government.

The Australian Defence Force are guests of the Afghan Government, all activities they conduct are in support of the Afghan government, and therefore the Afghan government has responsibility to ensure their Army is not harming our Defence Force. The Australian Government must demand that the Afghan government take responsibility for these rogue elements within their Army.

To ensure the Afghan government does take responsibility for rooting out these elements, the Australian Government has three options at its disposal. Those three options are as follows: The Australian Government can unilaterally withdraw its Defence Force irrespective of the Afghan National Army, Afghan government and our Allies and their goals and intent; It can treat the Afghan National Army as a threat and seek authority from the Afghan government to disarm their Army until its integrity and conduct is improved or; It can do a combination of the both.

If the Afghan government wants to continue to enjoy the presence and support of the Australian Defence Force, it must take responsibility for the integrity and conduct of its own Army.

It must make some very hard decisions to ensure the morale and well being of Australian Defence Force is not damaged by its actions or that of its Army. The Australian nation is proud of our Defence Force and offers it to the Afghan government for security and mentoring purposes, we expect them to treat it with the respect we hold for it and equal concern for its well being. The choice is theirs.

Brett Sprague is a keen observer and a budding practitioner of Australian politics and is a member of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. These opinions are offered as a private individual and do not reflect the views of his employer.

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