Afghan minister applauds NZ

Afghanistan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah says there has been pre-election violence but the country is still better off. Picture / Reuters

Afghanistan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah wants New Zealand to extend its commitment to his country for the longer-term.

Dr Abdullah - who is visiting New Zealand to thank this country for its $110 million contribution so far - said it would be a long-haul effort before stability and security were assured in Afghanistan.

New Zealand has 40 SAS in Afghanistan and a 123-strong Provincial Reconstruction team deployed in Bamyan Province. $20 million of the $110 million contribution has been through development aid.

"New Zealand's PRT has been playing a very positive role," said Dr Abdullah. "We appreciate that, we are grateful for that.

"The special forces are also doing a big job ... so we will be talking about different aspects of the relationship during my visit."

Australia and Afghanistan are looking at signing a memorandum of understanding against terrorism that will enable both parties to share information on terrorist networks in the region.

Dr Abdullah expects to have talks on a similar agreement during a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff today.

"Countries like New Zealand might be better off because of their own perception of the level of threat, but there is a need for everyone to be a part of it."

Dr Abdullah said there had been an upsurge in violent insurgency within Afghanistan as the country prepared for the September 18 elections. But there had been a huge shift since the Taleban reign was ended.

"While Osama bin Laden has still not been caught, a lot has changed," said Dr Abdullah. "Thousands and thousands of terrorists used to go there from all over the world for training. But it is no longer the global capital for al Qaeda."

Dr Abdullah met Prime Minister Helen Clark in Auckland yesterday evening. Helen Clark said later that it was "important to get Afghanistan off to a good start".

The Prime Minister said that although Dr Abdullah did not make a direct request for additional military help from New Zealand, "certainly there's no desire for people to leave".

There has been no commitment to increase the PRT's term beyond September 2006.

"We'll review that commitment again at some point," she said.

Dr Abdullah will today visit Trentham Military Camp to thank personnel who served in Afghanistan. He will then hold more detailed meeting on foreign affairs, defence and aid with Cabinet Ministers before being hosted at a private dinner by Mr Goff in Wellington this evening.