14 September 2004
Burton welcomes Afghanistan personnel home
Defence Minister Mark Burton today welcomed 94 Defence Force personnel home from a six-month rotation as part of a
Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), the largest component of New Zealand’s ongoing commitment in Afghanistan.
The PRT’s role is to assist the Afghanistan Transitional Authority extend its influence beyond Kabul, with a focus on
enhancing the security environment and promoting the reconstruction effort. The team includes personnel drawn from all
three services: engineers, communicators, medical and logistics personnel, and an infantry platoon to provide security.
Mark Burton congratulated the PRT members for their outstanding work, and said that the PRT’s efforts would make a real
difference to the future of Afghanistan.
“New Zealand personnel are assisting with support for voter registration for the upcoming Presidential election (9
October) and the Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) process. Our PRT continues to build local
confidence through their contact with community leaders, gathering information about their reconstruction needs, and
providing an opportunity to air any concerns.
“Perhaps one of their most important contributions has been managing the rebuilding of Bamiyan’s only university—
previously taken over as a Taliban headquarters, and destroyed in 2001. Its reopening was a major step forward in the
country's reconstruction and recovery, and will have a long-term impact on the stability and future growth of the
region.
“New Zealand’s PRT has been widely praised, becoming the model for other nations as they undertake the task of
establishing PRTs across Afghanistan. It’s also important to understand the relative significance of our contribution
for a country of our size.
“Our contribution in Afghanistan was recently described by retired US Army four-star general and former Superintendent
of West Point Military Academy Daniel Christman as ‘equivalent to two full US divisions.’ Clearly, have performed
exceptionally under demanding circumstances.
“The early decision to extend the PRT contribution until September 2005 underlines New Zealand’s commitment to playing
our part in enhancing security and promoting reconstruction at this critical juncture in Afghanistan’s transition to
democratic rule,” said Mark Burton.
The returning personnel were replaced in Afghanistan by another NZDF group earlier this month.
ENDS