As casualty numbers go up, and community support goes down, it’s worth reminding ourselves again why Australia is losing lives and spending billions in a far-away-land called Afghanistan …
“‘We pursue that mission because Afghanistan is a safe haven for terrorists.” — Prime Minister Gillard
“It is absolutely critical for the safety and security of Australians and Australia to help prevent Afghanistan from again becoming a training ground and operation base for international terrorists.” — Defence Minister Faulkner
“We continue to be committed to our mission to stop Afghanistan from again becoming a breeding ground for international terrorism.” — Foreign Minister Smith
What none of our political leaders will do is give the true reason for Australia’s military presence in Afghanistan’s bloody tribal war — which is this:
“Australia is fighting in Afghanistan because we support our alliance with the US. It is Australia’s cornerstone security alliance, and when America fights a major war, especially in or near our region, Australia needs to provide moral and military support to send a clear message to the US Government that we value the alliance.”
That’s the true reason for our presence in Afghanistan. If you doubt that, ask yourself this question: would Australia be fighting in Afghanistan if the US wasn’t there? Of course we wouldn’t.
There’s nothing wrong with telling the public the truth about our part in this war; it’s a legitimate reason that most people would understand and possibly support.
The best way politicians can show Australian soldiers their respect is to stop lying about why they’re in Afghanistan in the first place.
Well, maybe, but if the rationale given by American leaders is the same as the Australian leaders quoted above anyway, is the distinction really that significant? The ultimate cause is still the same.
To say we wouldn’t be fighting in Afghanistan if the US wasn’t and that this proves the main reason to be fighting is to support our US alliance is a tad simplistic.
Australia does not have the resources to go it alone in such a conflict and therefore can only really participate in support of its allies.
This does not weaken the reason we’re there in the first place – to oust a cruel regime that was supporting terrorists who killed Australians in Bali and New York.
Dear Crikey Editor – if you had lost a loved one in Bali you might be thankful that we have an international alliance pursuing the hotbed vipers who supplies most of the terrorists causing such havoc to innocent people.
Naturally the US alliance is important to us too. We don’t know what the future holds but it’s nice to think this alliance may help save us again at some time jut as it did 60 odd years ago.
I’ve had more than enough of this ‘the yanks saved us 60 years ago and they’ll save us again’ bullshit. Saved us from what? The Japanese had no plans to invade Australia.
In WWII Australia was a relatively safe base for the US, nothing more. If there had been a real attack on Australian soil, not the intentional distraction the Darwin bombings were, then our American allies would have been off in a cloud of dust. If there ever is an attack on Australia you can bet the yanks will take no notice. They will look the other way. They’ve ‘honoured’ the alliance in this way before. Remember East Timor? Back in 1998 John Howard and Kofi Annan agreed that Australia should lead a multi-national force in East Timor. Howard asked Bill Clinton for help and Clinton refused to commit troops. Eventually he was persuaded to contribute a package of assistance, but that was it. At the time Howard said that considering Australia’s long-standing suppoort for the US this was very disappointing and many Australians would feel let down. For once Howard was right.
Why don’t we tell the truth and why don’t we learn from history? No-one ever wins wars in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan war serves no purpose, it is just a re-run of Vietnam and will have the same result.
BH, emotional response from one personally affected by the Bali bombings, especially an hypothetical family member as per your comment, is hardly a reason to go to war.
There have been occasions when I would consider war, or at least a vendetta, against certain other Australians. Of course, I didn’t proceed. The risk analysis was not in favour. The reason simply did not stand up to hard headed analysis.
I have no idea what the onjectives of this particular war’s goals are. There seems to be no definition of success. We are not at war with the Afganistan nation, yet their President seems to be close to supporting war against the US-led forces.
This editorial quite correctly pointed out the need for public explanation of the reasons for continued Australian involvement, and that it the duty of politicians to do this. Our soldiers and airmen and women are doing a difficult job well, with minimal casualties, but what really is the big picture goal for which their lives are on the line?