Prime Minister Helen Clark today announced decisions on further New Zealand contributions to support humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Iraq. Helen Clark also announced the government would continue to make a significant contribution to the fight against terrorism under Operation Enduring Freedom.

Iraq

"For many months now I have consistently stated that New Zealand would look to assist in the rebuilding of Iraq once the conflict was over and the necessary multilateral cover had been provided," Helen Clark said.

"UN Security Council Resolution 1483 was passed last month and makes it clear that the UN should play a vital role in humanitarian relief, the reconstruction of Iraq, and the restoration and establishment of national and local institutions for representative governance.

"The resolution also appeals to member states of the UN to assist the people of Iraq in their efforts to rebuild their country and to contribute to conditions of stability and security in Iraq.

"There is also a very clear differentiation between the occupying powers and their unified command (the Authority) on the one hand, and countries working the Authority on the other.

"Resolution 1483 calls on those in a position to do so to provide assistance. It has been adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, and it is consistent with our obligations under the Charter that New Zealand should try to provide such assistance. Furthermore, it is clear that we can do so without in any way becoming an occupying power.

"It has therefore been decided that we will provide a New Zealand Defence Force engineering group of up to 60 personnel, inclusive of support staff, to work on reconstruction tasks in southern Iraq.

"This engineering group will operate with a UK unit. We are pleased to have the opportunity to operate once again with the British on humanitarian work. This engineering group will be engaged for up to twelve months.

"Up to three NZDF personnel will be based in the British divisional headquarters to support the New Zealand presence.

"The first step will be reconnaissance visits to flesh out the shape of these deployments. These visits will be undertaken this month.

"The government has also looked at making a civilian contribution to the reconstruction effort in Iraq. One such area is agriculture, where we have decided to contribute NZ$1 million to rehabilitate the Iraqi Agriculture Ministry building in Baghdad. We will also offer scholarships and custom-made agriculture training courses in New Zealand.

" The New Zealand contribution will enable the rebuilding of the Agriculture Ministry building to be completed (Australia has also made a contribution)
" The scholarships and training courses will help meet the needs of a generation of young Iraqis who have missed out on education in this critical sector. Saddam Hussein's regime effectively removed most Iraqis from international economic and social interchange. The training we are offering is aimed at assisting the people of Iraq to re-engage with international society."

OEF-Afghanistan

"In addition to the new call for nations to participate in the reconstruction of Iraq, New Zealand continues to participate in Operation Enduring Freedom. The campaign against the terrorist groups which have launched international attacks in different parts of the world remains a major international security issue. New Zealand has been continuously involved in that effort since late 2001.

" Our special forces participated in fighting in Afghanistan for a full year
" The Royal New Zealand Navy has been engaged in interdiction work in the Gulf region for the last six months
" An Orion surveillance plane has been deployed to support the interdiction work
" A C130 Hercules transport plane will shortly be deployed to Kyrgyzstan to support coalition activities in Afghanistan

"It is now time to contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan. The Afghan provisional government is working with a number of countries to establish security and rebuild society across Afghanistan. A significant part of this effort is through the deployment of Provincial Reconstruction Teams.

"Provincial Reconstruction Teams involve relatively small numbers (50-100) of personnel, and are designed to assist the transitional government under President Karzai expand its influence outside Kabul. The focus is on enhancing the security environment and promoting the reconstruction effort, while monitoring and assessing civil, political, and military reform efforts through community engagement.

"A PRT is not a combat unit. It provides a strengthened military observer capacity, which also acts as a centre for the facilitation of NGO and other civilian contributions to reconstruction. A similar approach was successfully tried in the former Republic of Yugoslavia."

Three PRTs have already been established by the United States Central Command and the British will establish a fourth this month. A further four are to be established by September 2003.

New Zealand intends to contribute to a PRT. If it proves to be within our capacities, that contribution will extend to leading a PRT.

An NZDF reconnaissance team is already in the field and will report back shortly on how best New Zealand can contribute to a PRT.

In addition, two NZDF non-commissioned officers will be deployed to work with a UK team providing command and leadership training to the Afghan National Army in Kabul for 12 months from September 2003. Professional and well-trained non-commissioned officers are the backbone of any disciplined army. The New Zealand contribution is intended as a long-term investment in the establishment of a multi-ethnic Afghan National Army. This new army is a key element in re-establishing security in Afghanistan. Our contribution to this effort is intended to complement the PRT contribution.

The Royal New Zealand Navy has made a significant contribution to maritime interdiction operations under Operation Enduring Freedom. Although that deployment is now winding up, and Te Mana will leave the theatre on 26 June, a further deployment some time in the future could well be possible," Helen Clark said.

Contact: Mike Munro 021 428835, David Lewis 021 409492, Jocelyn Prasad 021 822734

Government Announcement on Assistance to Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, and Iraq

IRAQ

Is there a risk that the deployments to Iraq could make New Zealand an occupying power?

" No. Resolution 1483 recognises the specific obligations and responsibilities under international law of the United States and the United Kingdom as the occupying powers in Iraq, acting under unified command (the Authority). The Resolution calls on the US and UK to promote the welfare of the Iraqi people through the effective administration of the territory, including working towards the restoration of conditions of security and stability.
" Importantly, the Resolution also notes that other states which are not occupying powers may work with the Authority. And it welcomes the willingness of member states to contribute to stability and security in Iraq by contributing personnel, equipment, and other resources.
" Our deployment of military engineers does not make us part of the occupying power, and is the sort of assistance contemplated and authorised by Resolution 1483.
" The government will in addition be making it clear that New Zealand personnel are not to be deployed in any way which might risk us becoming an occupying power or which goes beyond the assistance envisaged in Resolution 1483.
What will be the command and control arrangements?
" As with any offshore deployment, the New Zealand engineers will at all times be under the command of their senior officer. That officer will have the right to refuse any command which is outside the parameters of the deployment as authorised by the New Zealand government.

What tasks will the light engineer group undertake?

" It is envisaged that the engineer group will focus on general engineering tasks such as water purification, light timber frame construction, electrical and plumbing reticulation, limited construction project management, and limited reconnaissance to ensure the safety of roads and bridges.

What is the likely cost of the Iraq deployments?

" The deployment of a light engineer group of up to 44 engineers, plus support staff, to assist in post-conflict reconstruction in southern Iraq for twelve months will cost approximately NZD $12 - 14 million.

" Our contribution to rehabilitate the Iraqi Agriculture Ministry building in Baghdad will cost NZD $1 million.

" The cost for providing agricultural training and scholarships for Iraqis has yet to be detailed. We are waiting for more detailed advice from the Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance in Iraq. Funding will, however, be available from the Iraq allocation (of up to NZD $10 million) in Vote ODA for 2003/2004.

What contributions are other countries making to Iraq?

" In making these contributions, New Zealand is in good company.

" For example: Norway has 80-100 military personnel in an engineering company based with British units in southern Iraq; Canada has offered assistance from the engineering unit (water purification) of the Canadian Disaster Assistance Response Team; Australia has seconded civilian personnel to the Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance, and some of these will be working on agriculture reconstruction issues; Australia, Canada, the EU and many others have provided money.

AFGHANISTAN

Under what international mandate will further New Zealand assistance to Afghanistan be provided?

" The proposed contributions under Operation Enduring Freedom are justified under UN Security Council Resolution 1386. This Resolution explicitly recognises the inherent right of states to individual and collective self-defence in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. Operation Enduring Freedom continues to be regarded by participating countries as an international armed conflict under international law.

" As with any offshore deployment, the New Zealand military will at all times be under the command of their senior officer. That officer will have the right to refuse any command which is outside the parameters of the deployment as authorised by the New Zealand government.
What tasks will the Provincial Reconstruction Team undertake?

" The Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) programme was initially developed in 2002, as a way to encourage and enable the new transitional government under President Karzai to expand its influence beyond Kabul.

" The PRT programme complements the development of the new Afghan National Army, the new police force and border guards. The PRT will eventually assist elements of these new security forces to become established outside Kabul.

" PRTs are also enabling the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to expand its operations beyond Kabul. UNAMA encompasses political, humanitarian, reconstruction and development support efforts in Afghanistan. PRTs are providing the opportunity for international and non-governmental organisations to deliver humanitarian aid and development projects outside Kabul.

What does a PRT look like?

" Each PRT is different in size and in the balance of their functions due to the different challenges specific to each province in Afghanistan. These challenges include: proximity to external borders, the level of local political and institutional sophistication, and the level of instability as a result of local grievances and conflicts.

" The current PRTs have between 50 to 100 military and civilian personnel. They are grouped into three functions: a civilian section that facilitates and encourages the expansion and development of the central political authority and the delivery of humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and development projects by international and non-governmental organisations; a military section that facilitates and encourages the development of new national security forces, undertakes a monitoring role, and where possible stabilises the local security situation; and a controlling headquarters which provides base logistics and linguist support.

" The US has so far established three PRTs, in Gardez (February 2003), Bamian (March 2003), and Konduz (April 2003). The UK is establishing a PRT at Mazar-e-Sharif by July 2003.

" The programme envisages a further four PRTs to be established by September 2003. New sites will be in Jalalabad, Khandahar, Herat and Parwan.

Who else is involved in PRT activity?

" In addition to the US and UK, Italy and Romania have provided staff officers. Several other countries are considering leading a PRT or contributing to an existing PRT.

What will the shape of the New Zealand PRT contribution look like?

" New Zealand intends to contribute to a PRT. If it proves to be within our capacities, that contribution will extend to leading a PRT. The extent and location of our contribution will, however, need to wait for more precise details to emerge.

" An NZDF reconnaissance team arrived in Kabul yesterday and will report back shortly on how best New Zealand can contribute to a PRT.

" The situation which would be faced by NZDF personnel in a PRT would not be dissimilar to previous NZDF experiences of company and battalion deployments to the former Yugoslavia and to East Timor. The significant difference is that the PRT will have a greater focus on encouraging and facilitating reconstruction, community development, and political stability (as opposed to providing a show of military strength and providing armed patrols).

" NZDF has gained considerable experience in being able to work effectively in diverse communities through deployments such as former Yugoslavia, Bougainville, and East Timor.

What risks are likely to face New Zealand personnel in Afghanistan?

" Security remains a concern throughout Afghanistan. The situation remains unstable.

" The PRT will have integrated force protection in the form of a small group of infantry soldiers, and all military personnel will carry personal weapons. The Rules of Engagement will allow self defence, and weapons will only be used where all other options (including the deployment of local Afghanistan security forces) have proved ineffective.

" In the event that local force protection measures are not sufficient to ensure the safety of PRT personnel, then US military land and air forces will be available to respond.

What is the likely cost of the Afghanistan deployments?

" The total approximate operating cost of leading a PRT for twelve months is around NZD $25 - 27 million. But these costs will need to be refined once the reconnaissance mission reports back with more precise details.

" The total approximate operating cost of deploying two NCOs to work with the UK training team for a 12 month period from September 2003 is around NZD $200 - 300,000.

" In the event that a further naval contribution is undertaken in the future, the cost of deploying a frigate for three months would be in the region of NZD $6 - 8 million.

Will the SAS be re-deployed to Afghanistan?

" The SAS continues to remain available for deployment in Afghanistan should appropriate tasks arise.

What other countries are making contributions to the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan?

" Twenty eight nations are contributing to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Members of ISAF are: Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Azerbaijan, Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, the Hellenic Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom.
" The United States lists the following countries as contributors to Operation Enduring Freedom: Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Korea, New Zealand, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Latvia.

" The United Kingdom is a major OEF partner and a significant ISAF contributor. Canada has sizeable contributions to both ISAF and OEF, and has recently announced the deployment of a brigade headquarters for ISAF. Japan provides fleet refuelling assistance under OEF to maritime interdiction operations through two replenishment ships and three support destroyers. Norway is providing a range of support to both ISAF and OEF. Norway's contribution to OEF has been tactical airlift support operating from Kyrgyzstan.