Posted on 07/07/2005 7:07:42 PM PDT by naturalman1975
AUSTRALIAN troops are set to return to Afghanistan.
Prime Minister John Howard yesterday hinted that he favoured re-committing Australian forces. The Government withdrew an SAS group in November 2002 before the Iraq campaign.
Almost three years later the remnants of the Taliban regime and the al-Qaida terrorists it supported are making a comeback in the war-ravaged country.
Terrorist attacks have increased and US and other troops, deployed with the 10,000-strong International Security Assistance Force, are coming under regular attack. Up to 19 US special forces troops have been killed in the past 10 days.
Afghan authorities have almost begged Australia to return and help finish the job.
Mr Howard said he had already discussed a possible deployment with senior Cabinet colleagues.
"We are going to look at it, and if we do take a decision it will be announced next week," he said.
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