TARIN KOT, Afghanistan - The Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott made a surprise visit to Tarin Kot for a recognition ceremony acknowledging the contribution of coalition partners to the International Security Assistance Force mission in Uruzgan.
Senior representatives from Australia, Afghanistan, the U.S., Netherlands, New Zealand, France, Singapore and Slovakia attended the ceremony at Multinational Base - Tarin Kot Oct. 28.
Following the leadership of the Dutch and the U.S., Australia has led ISAF’s Combined Team Uruzgan in training Afghan partners to assume security responsibility in the region since October 2012.
Australia has lost 40 soldiers and suffered more than 250 personnel wounded in the Afghan campaign.
Abbott said Australia’s longest war was ending.
“Not with victory, not with defeat, but with, we hope, an Afghanistan that’s better for our presence here,” he said.
“Australia is better too, the threat of global terrorism is reduced, our reliability as an ally is confirmed and our commitment to the universal decencies of humanity that we fought for here is made obvious.
“We have discovered new heroes, in Mark Donaldson, Ben Roberts-Smith, Dan Keighran and others whose names will emerge in time, more than worthy to stand with the original Anzacs.
“Australians don’t fight wars of conquest, we fight wars of freedom, we fight for people’s right to live their own lives, to worship in their own way and for their duty to respect others right to do likewise.”
The ceremony at Tarin Kot also recognized the achievements of the Australian-led provincial reconstruction team which ended its presence in the province after operating in Uruzgan since 2004.
The PRT assisted to develop the governance capabilities of the Uruzgan provincial government and supported more than 40 major construction and redevelopment projects.
Lt. Gen. Jon Lorimer, deputy commander, International Security Assistance Force, said the ceremony marked an important milestone for the people of Afghanistan and the international community.
“The personnel of Australia and all contributing coalition partners have served with distinction beside our Afghan partners to bring about positive change in Uruzgan and across Afghanistan,” he said.
“Their efforts to enhance security, governance and economic development will leave a lasting legacy across this province.
“The Afghan National Security Forces have emerged at the end of the first fighting season with them in the lead, as confident, capable and credible and have shown they are able to protect the Afghan population.
“Today serves as a reminder of the significant commitment that has been made by all of the coalition nations.
“However, we must remember that the Afghan people in particular have paid a high price and it is important to recognize their losses.”
By the end of 2013 Australian troops will have left Tarin Kot and the base and its infrastructure will be gifted to the Afghan government.
Amir Mohammad Akhundzada, Uruzgan’s provincial governor, said the PRT had helped with millions of dollars of support for building clinics, schools, roads, administrative buildings, increasing administrative capacity, good governance and providing good services.
“The Uruzgan people will remember this forever and will always be thankful of your cooperation and services,” he said.
“Compared to the past, the Uruzgan security situation has improved a lot with business routes and highways open for traffic.
“People travel freely, and we are fully prepared for upcoming presidential and provincial council elections.
“There is now good coordination among our security forces as a result of which many of our enemy’s destructive plans have been prevented, and most of their commanders have been captured or killed.
“We need to acknowledge that some threats still exist, and in near future, clearance operations will be conducted by ANSF in order to ensure people are able to participate in upcoming elections in a secure environment and to vote for their favorite candidates.”
Following the completion of Australia’s mission in Uruzgan, Australia will shift to a nationally-orientated role.
Australia’s military commitment in 2014 will be up to 400 personnel and focus on training and advisory support in Kabul and Kandahar.