Could the Vice Presidents comments though be designed to pressure Australia, to send more troops to Afghanistan?
SMITH: No, absolutely not. I mean I’ve seen his comments, he’s making the point that we have to be all wary, potentially we’re all under threat. And that’s why we make our own contribution. We haven’t received, as Joel Fitzgibbon and I have made the point in recent times, a formal request from the new US Administration about a greater contribution. We won’t be surprised if and when it comes. We welcome the fact they’re doing an overarching review to look at not just the military contribution but the civil reconstruction and the political dialogue possibilities. And so, the fact that they’re doing their overarching review is a good thing. If we get a request, we’ll judge it on its merits and make our decision at the time. But Vice President Biden has made the point that this is the hot bed of international terrorism and we have to confront it. REPORTER: Looking at Zimbabwe, you’ve announced $10 million worth of extra aid funding. Australia has become the first western nation to do that.
Related Questions
- The United States is preparing to send a further 13,000 troops to Afghanistan. Should France also strengthen her contingent there?
- Who is the top Republican leader that is pushing President Obama on a decision on troops & Afghanistan?"
- Krauthammer, can a Nobel Peace Prize winner send more troops to Afghanistan?
Could the Vice Presidents comments though be designed to pressure Australia, to send more troops to Afghanistan?