NZ military face rugged time in Afghan heights

By SCOTT MacLEOD

Military staff leaving for Afghanistan today have been driving vehicles in the Southern Alps to hone their skills in harsh conditions.

Transport is one of many challenges for 80 New Zealanders of the reconstruction team who will reach the high-altitude Bamian province in a week.

At Burnham camp yesterday there were the usual emotions before a big deployment - confidence and a desire to "get on with it" balanced by a sense of going into the unknown.

Colonel Neville Reilly, who will rise from his Burnham bed at 5am for his flight to Afghanistan, has already visited Bamian as part of a reconnaissance team.

Yesterday he spoke of stunning scenery, of rugged sheer rock, and of green valleys fed by rivers.

He spoke of mud-brick homes packed with the extended families of the local Hazara ethnic group, said to be descended from cavalry warrior Genghis Khan.

For the New Zealanders, he said, there were plywood huts that would need heaters and good insulation before winter struck at -20C.

Colonel Reilly said the terrain was so rough it was impossible to visit some villages with the base's Toyota sports vehicles. Helicopters were available only for emergencies, so walking or horse-riding were the only options.

It can take five days to cross Bamian, which is split by mountain ranges up to 3800m high. Bamian township, where the New Zealanders are based, is 2500m above sea level.

But the locals seemed welcoming when Colonel Reilly visited in June.

"The governor knew of New Zealand and was delighted that a small country so far away was willing to come and help," he said.

One priority will be dealing with Bamian's lack of a police force or court system. Justice is imposed by militia bands that will have to be disarmed.

The team will visit remote villages to gather information about reconstruction needs. Although it is not a combat unit, all soldiers will be armed.

"The main part is to be visible, get around, and assist in getting institutions up and running again," said Colonel Reilly.

A platoon of the soldiers has started learning Dari, an Afghan language, with the help of two Christchurch immigrants.

Prime Minister Helen Clark and Defence Force chief Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson were to farewell the 80 New Zealanders today before they flew out on a Boeing 757 at 8am.

They will rotate every four to six months as part of a one-year commitment to help the new Government take a grip on its provinces.