ABC RADIO, The World Today - Friday, 1 July , 2005 12:10:00
Reporter: Louise Yaxley

ELEANOR HALL: But first today, the Federal Government is considering sending troops back to Afghanistan, three years after Australia joined the United States in invading that country shortly after the September
11 attacks on the US.

Despite vows from the international community not to abandon Afghanistan once the Taliban had been ousted, violence has escalated in recent years and the Afghan Ambassador to Australia is now calling on the Federal Government to make a "healthy contribution" of troops to his country.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer acknowledges Australia's allies have asked the Government many times to send troops.

And today Afghanistan's Ambassador, Mahmoud Saikal, has told Louise Yaxley he fears there will be more terrorism in his country as the elections approach, and that Australian troops could help bring stability.

MAHMOUD SAIKAL: We have been urging Australia to move in the three areas
- in the area of development, and I must acknowledge the fact that Australia has made a significant contribution in the field of development in Afghanistan - the reconstruction and development of the country.

In the field of defence and security Australia made a very healthy contribution in the year 2002, and we would like to see the continuation of that again in our country, and in the field of diplomacy.

LOUISE YAXLEY: In the field of diplomacy you're calling on Australia to establish an embassy in Kabul.

MAHMOUD SAIKAL: My feeling is that establishing a mission in Kabul would really help.

LOUISE YAXLEY: Australia's had many requests to renew its military assistance to Afghanistan, but hasn't agreed to them. What do you want it to do?

MAHMOUD SAIKAL: Let's not forget that for the past three-and-a-half years we have made significant gains in Afghanistan. We have made gains in every field, we've made political gains, we've made security gains, we've made economic gains, our trade is now taking off. Believe it or not the economic indicators are beginning to show some trade with Australia here.

These gains, however, need consolidation. Unfortunately the threats of terrorism and the threats of the regrouping of the Taliban have not been removed. They are still there. Leading figures of al-Qaeda and leading figures of the Taliban are still alive. They are still at large. They are still regrouping. They are still busy orchestrating military operations inside Afghanistan. They are highly active, as we have seen, we have seen a surge of violence in the past few months, and I've got no doubt that in the lead-up to the parliamentary election which will take place on the 18th of September this year they will do their best to destabilise the country, and even after the election, even once we have an elected parliament, I've got no doubt that for as long as they enjoy external support and they've got a safe haven somewhere outside the country, they will continue to conduct their violent operations inside Afghanistan.

So it is crucial that we make sure that they do not have external support, that they do not have a safe haven to run back to once they're beaten in Afghanistan.

LOUISE YAXLEY: What do you want to see it do militarily?

MAHMOUD SAIKAL: Well there is a range of options, I don't want to go to the details of these options. I do know that there is a healthy dialogue between Australia and Afghanistan on security matters. And I do know Australian defence officials have been to Afghanistan talking to our security agencies and to our international partners.

The details of the discussion and what will be the nature of Australia's contribution in the field of security, I think that's up to the experts.
I just leave it there.

LOUISE YAXLEY: Are you disappointed that Australia hasn't agreed to the requests that it's had from the UN Secretary-General and others so far for it do more militarily?

MAHMOUD SAIKAL: Well naturally Afghanistan needs help. It has been needing help for the past three-and-a-half years. The stronger the resolve of the international community the better it is. The more attention we pay to the security of Afghanistan, the better it is for Afghanistan, and the better it is for the region, the better it is for the world, including Australia itself.

LOUISE YAXLEY: Why do you think it is that New Zealand has contributed quite a few troops and Australia at the moment has just one person from its defence forces in Afghanistan?

MAHMOUD SAIKAL: I think it might have something to do to the Australian commitment in Iraq. At some stage Australia was heavily involved in a number of places - in East Timor, in Solomon Island, in Iraq - so that could be the reason. But my understanding is that Australia has reduced its forces in Solomon Island to a great deal, Australia is no longer involved in East Timor.

So Australia now is in a very good position to make a healthy contribution to the security of Afghanistan.

ELEANOR HALL: The Afghan Ambassador to Australia, Mahmoud Saikal, speaking to Louise Yaxley in Canberra.