PM seeks assurances from Afghan president

15 Oct 2012, 10:00 am   -   Source: AAP

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has met Afghan President Hamid Karzai during a surprise visit and sought assurances on insider attacks.

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Prime Minister Julia Gillard has sought assurances from President Hamid Karzai that Afghanistan is doing everything it can to prevent insider attacks on Australian troops.

Ms Gillard met the president on Sunday during a surprise visit to Afghanistan where she also talked to Australian commanders and troops.

The prime minister raised Australian concerns about what are called green-on-blue attacks by elements of the Afghan National Army (ANA).

Three Australian soldiers were killed by an ANA soldier in August.

"I sought an assurance from him that everything that can be done is being done," Ms Gillard told reporters.

"He spoke to me about the steps being taken by Afghan forces to deal with insider attacks."

Ms Gillard also raised the issue with the governor of Oruzgan Province, where Australian troops are stationed.

The "tragic and disturbing" incidents were designed to corrode morale, she said.

The prime minister told Mr Karzai Australia and other nations that make up the International Security Assistance Force wanted assurances that aid and development efforts were "hitting the ground" and were not being taken by corrupt practices.

"We will continue to raise the need for accountability," Ms Gillard said.

The prime minister visited the Australian base at Tarin Kowt where she discussed the security situation and progress to transition in Oruzgan Province with Australian commanders.

Later she attended a barbecue with troops.

"One reason I'm here today is just to say a big thankyou to you on behalf of the Australian nation for everything you do," Ms Gillard told them.

Ms Gillard was briefed by ISAF commander, US general John Allen, who told her that the Afghan mission was still on track.

However, he warned her that getting the ANA and national police up to speed for transition was still two years away.

Ms Gillard has now returned to the United Arab Emirates ahead of her official visit to India.

The prime minister's trip to Afghanistan was her first since a spate of fatal attacks on Australian troops.

Federal Defence Science and Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon said morale remained high despite the casualties.

"There's no doubt in my mind about the strength of morale within the ADF, particularly those who are deployed," Mr Snowdon told reporters in Sydney.

"This is a job they get trained to do, they're very well-trained and very well-led and we're very confident in their ability to do the work very successfully."

Measures had been taken at the command level to minimise the chances of similar attacks in the future, he said.

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