DR MIKE KELLY’S KEYNOTE ADDRESS TO THE ANU CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN

Australian National University, 22 October 2009

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SPEAKER: Dr Mike Kelly

Your Excellencies, Deputy Minister General Mohammad Daud, Parliamentary colleagues, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.  It is an honour to be here this morning to represent the Prime Minister in delivering the keynote address to this very important seminar. 

I thank the Australian National University and in particular, the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, for their prescience in organising this conference and assembling such a distinguished array of Afghan experts and thinkers.  It is vital that events such as these continue to take place to critically review the situation in Afghanistan, promote fresh ideas and to contest old ones.    

Making an enduring and positive contribution to the solutions of the Afghanistan war will require ongoing collaboration between governments, academia, non-government organisations and the general public.  The Australian government strongly supports continued and productive dialogue on how best to restore stability and security to Afghanistan and its region.

In this light, one of the key portfolio responsibilities assigned to me by the Prime Minister is to oversee the development of the Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence, which the Prime Minister opened in Queanbeyan last November.  In order to improve knowledge on Afghanistan the Centre partnered with the University of New South Wales last month in a successful symposium on Catalysing the Rule of Law in Afghanistan: Challenges and Opportunities.  The findings are available on the Centre’s website (www.civmilcoe.gov.au).  As the Centre matures I am keen for it to take a more active role in providing advice and analysis on stabilisation operations, such as with regards to Australia’s engagement with Afghanistan. This is particularly important given the civil-military dimension of the significant challenges that we will continue to confront in Afghanistan, and the lessons we can learn.

The challenges in Afghanistan are profoundly complex and have deep historical roots.  Success in Afghanistan will be dependent on sustained commitment by the international community working in partnership with the Afghan people and government.  It will take time and it will take conviction.  There are, unfortunately, no short cuts.  The Australian Government recognises this and this is why we remain committed to Afghanistan . 

Since 2001, over 100 innocent Australians have been murdered at the hands of terrorists with some type of linkage to terrorist infrastructure that existed in Afghanistan.  In today’s interconnected world, an unstable corner of the world can have calamitous effects elsewhere.  This is why we must work to deny international terrorism succor and safe haven in Afghanistan.  I recognise that the situation in Pakistan is also important here and I will come to that later. 

We will not make ourselves safer through isolation.  We cannot ignore the direct threat international terrorism poses for all Australians and our international partners.  This is why we are joined with 41 other countries as part of the United Nations-mandated International Security Assistance Force (or ISAF) to bring security to Afghanistan.

This morning, I would like to spend a few moments reflecting on Australia’s role within the broader coalition effort in Afghanistan and then conclude by providing an assessment on the effectiveness of our efforts so far. 

Australia’s contribution to Afghanistan, ladies and gentlemen, is significant.  It is underpinned by a coordinated strategy that comprises diplomatic engagement, aid and reconstruction, policing assistance and, of course, our military involvement.  These elements contribute to Australia’s three key objectives which are: stabilisation; denying sanctuary to terrorists; and, training the Afghan National Security Forces in Oruzgan to hand over security responsibility within a reasonable timeframe. 

I’ll begin firstly by talking about the ADF commitment.  At around, 1550 it is by far the largest non-NATO military contribution, and we are among the ten largest overall.  Our troops in Oruzgan are focused primarily on building the capacity of the Afghan National Army to take over security responsibility for the province once international forces withdraw.  Our troops are also focused on reconstruction and development efforts and disrupting the Taliban led insurgency.

Our training and mentoring program aims to prepare the Afghan Army in Oruzgan to take sustained responsibility for security.     

In Oruzgan today our military trainers are doing a first class job to train and mentor their Afghan counterparts and impart the skills and capabilities they need to make Oruzgan safer.  So far the results have been promising.  In 2009, we have successfully planned and conducted a number of combined operations that have reclaimed lost territory and have spread security throughout the villages.  Under Australia’s mentorship, Afghan Army elements have assumed responsibility for sectors within the Tarin Kowt area and are steadily growing in capacity.  By training the Afghan Army 4th Brigade in Oruzgan we are helping the wider counter-insurgency effort in Regional Command (South) to hold ground cleared from the Taliban.

At the same time, Australian army engineers are working to restore vital public facilities in Oruzgan.  In recent years, Australia has rebuilt the Tarin Kowt Provincial Hospital – the primary healthcare facility in the province, constructed the Afghan Health and Development Services Training Centre and refurbished the Tarin Kowt Boy’s Primary School. 

Their involvement has also been instrumental in strengthening battle-damaged bridges and crossing-points and re-opening local highways.

Underpinning Australia’s military efforts is the superb work of our Special Operation Task Group (SOTG) which continues to target Taliban leaders and bomb makers throughout Oruzgan and its border areas.  Since 2007, they have captured or killed over 40 known insurgent leaders and bomb makers and seized countless caches of weapons and ammunition.  Our Special Forces personnel are working tirelessly to provide the necessary security conditions to allow training, reconstruction and development work to continue in Oruzgan. 

Through our efforts to support local authorities we are helping to offer a credible alternative to the Taliban in the eyes of ordinary Afghans.  But the contest for popular support is far from won.  Commander ISAF General McChrystal’s direction to transition the military’s focus away from targeting insurgents to protecting the population is welcome.  The campaign in Afghanistan will not be won by the number of insurgents killed, but by the number of Afghans able to live their lives in peace and dignity. 

In counter-insurgency campaigns, the population must be the centre of gravity and the focus of our efforts.  Australia’s military strategy in Oruzgan reflects this central tenet, which has worked well in our favour. 

The Australian Government also welcomes the increased military commitments seen this year.  The additional troops from our US and NATO partners will help ISAF consolidate its hard fought gains and accelerate training outcomes for Afghan National Security Forces.   Our own troop increase of over 40% announced by Prime Minister Rudd earlier this year is in keeping with this approach.

In General McChrystal, ISAF has a strong and experienced Commander leading the coalition.  His 60-day Assessment provides a valuable opportunity to revitalise our strategy and his report is currently being considered by the Obama Administration, NATO and ourselves.  It is important that we have the best possible strategy in Afghanistan and I welcome General McChrystal’s focus on developing such a comprehensive and carefully calibrated plan.

In terms of our own military commitment, the Australian Government believes that the current troop deployment of 1550 is appropriate to achieve the stabilisation and training goals we have set ourselves in Oruzgan.  It is a significant commitment for a country of our size and our contribution is deeply valued by our ISAF partners and the Afghan government. 

And our military training commitment extends beyond boots on the ground in Oruzgan.  Through Australia’s major contribution to the Afghan National Army Trust Fund we are making a substantial investment in the future of the Afghan Army and Police.  Australia’s commitment of USD200 million dollars will go a long way to help raise, train and sustain Afghan forces to allow them in time to address their country’s own security challenges.  This contribution is so far the largest national contribution to the Trust Fund and is central to our commitment of helping Afghanistan stand on its own two feet.       

As a junior partner within ISAF, it is critical that we direct our efforts in a coordinated and targeted way that contributes to broader coalition objectives.  We are doing this effectively in Oruzgan with the strong leadership and support of Dutch forces. 

Since 2006, we have fought side by side during these dangerous and challenging times and we have worked extremely well to advance our shared interests.  But the Netherlands is committed to relinquishing leadership from the middle of next year and Australia now looks to NATO to replace Dutch leadership in order to sustain the positive momentum.  As the Australian Government has made clear, we cannot lead in Oruzgan but nor can we operate alone.  NATO must address this issue.        

More broadly, it has been acknowledged that success in Afghanistan will not be achieved through military means alone.  This is why the Australian Government in 2008 pledged $250 million dollars in civilian development and reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan.  This brings Australia’s total development assistance commitment to over $600 million since 2001.

As part of this assistance, the Government is increasing the number of deployed AusAID personnel and will deploy up to a further six technical advisers working to strengthen the capacity of key Afghan ministries in important areas such as health, education, agriculture and rural reconstruction and development.   We are also considering establishing additional civilian positions in southern Afghanistan.  Our practical efforts are focused on working with the Afghan government to build its administrative capacity to provide basic services and security for its people.   

Australia’s development assistance is advancing health, education and community development outcomes.  Australia’s aid is rehabilitating roads, funding wells and other irrigation projects and opening and refurbishing schools.  Our aid program complements the efforts of the Australian Defence Force to deliver basic services and development outcomes to local communities. 

Positive results have been seen from the National Solidarity Program, which is delivering much needed infrastructure to rural villages, including 64 rural infrastructure projects involving water supply and irrigation in 320 villages.  We have also responded to the humanitarian needs of Oruzgan province by distributing 6800 metric tonnes of wheat, necessitated by drought and rising global food prices.  

Our ongoing efforts to reduce the risk posed by landmines in the community will see approximately 142,000 square metres of contaminated land cleared by the end of 2009.  

Ladies and gentlemen, these practical efforts are focused on working with the Afghan government to build its administrative capacity to provide basic services and security for its people.   

In addition to these efforts, Australia is also deploying additional resources to improve Afghan National Police capacity.  Enduring stability in Afghanistan is dependent on a professional and capable police force able to maintain community law and order.  To help achieve this, Australian Federal Police officers have deployed to Afghanistan to build the capacity of the Afghan police in the areas of criminal investigation and counternarcotics.  At the same time, a separate Australian Federal Police contingent is embedded within the Afghan Police Training Centre in Oruzgan working to train and mentor their Afghan counterparts in community policing techniques.  

Australia’s efforts in Afghanistan are extensive.  But we are just not leaving it at that.  This Government continues to review conditions on the ground to ensure that our contribution remains optimised and effective.  The Australian Government believes that more should be done on the civilian side and that better integration with military efforts must occur.  I welcome the increased civilian influx from the US and other ISAF partners.  This injection will go along way to strengthening Afghan institutions and enhance governance standards.  As I have mentioned earlier, Australia too has increased our civilian assistance and are willing to consider requests for more civilian assistance to Afghanistan.

To help ensure that Australia’s significant commitments are integrated into the broader international effort, this Government appointed in April an Australian Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Mr Ric Smith.  His appointment is a demonstration of our commitment to establishing effective regional and international diplomacy.  This work will help achieve unity of effort and minimise costly overlap.  It is critical that the international community provide Afghanistan with the targeted support it needs and that this is not wasted on unnecessary duplication.  Special Envoy Smith has represented Australia at a number of international fora, including at the G8 Foreign Ministers’ Outreach Meeting and has visited Afghanistan and Pakistan to reiterate to its leaders Australia’s long-term commitment to both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Special Envoy Smith has responsibility for Pakistan due to the connection it has with events in Afghanistan. 

Islamabad’s efforts to counter extremism are critical to regional and global security, as well as to success in Afghanistan.  But as we know, Pakistan faces immense challenges in achieving this task.

We must help support Pakistan build its capacity to conduct counter-insurgency operations and confront the threat posed by militants.

Australia recognises the complexity of this challenge and seeks to work with the Government of Pakistan to better enable it to counter both extremism and terrorism. 

As part of a whole of Government effort, we have significantly increased assistance to the Pakistan military along these lines.

We have expanded Pakistani access to military education and training opportunities in Australia.  The number of training and education courses offered to Pakistan has risen from 10 positions in 2008, to around 140 positions in 2010 and involves training in peacekeeping, civil-military affairs, logistics, emergency management, engineering and joint warfare.  

This will make Australia the second largest provider of overseas Defence training for Pakistan, behind only the United States.

Security dialogue with Pakistan is also increasing with an increasing agenda of senior-level Talks and engagement opportunities now a feature of bilateral Defence relationship.

At the same time, we are also significantly increasing our aid program with Pakistan to improve rural livelihoods, strengthen standards of democratic governance and protect internationally recognised human rights standards.  

In Pakistan too, Australia is making a strong contribution.

As I have said earlier, Australia’s multi-pronged contribution to international efforts in Afghanistan represents a holistic and coordinated strategy.  Through our military contribution we are helping to improve security and create the conditions for longer-term stability; and through our aid and policing assistance we are helping preserve law and order and extend basic services.  Step by step we are making gradual improvements to conditions on the ground.

And ladies and gentlemen, progress is being made.  The Afghanistan of today is a completely different to the Afghanistan under Taliban rule.  Over six million children are now benefitting from an education, including a large proportion of females.  There is a vibrant and free media and access to primary health care has vastly improved.  With international support, Afghanistan has held presidential, parliamentary and provincial council elections, including taking lead security responsibility for the recent elections in August.  

Australia welcomes the announcement of the result of the 20 August Presidential Election. It is important that the patience shown by all candidates is acknowledged and commend them for following Afghanistan's legal and constitutional processes. We look forward to the second round of voting on 7 November. Australia is already prepared to assist the Afghan election authorities carry out the second round election as soon as possible. We have 120 combat troops on the ground who provided security for the first round election. It was well understood that they would provide the same security task if a run-off occurred. The process will again be very challenging and it is important that the results must reflect the will of the Afghan people.

It is important to emphasise that the constitutionally mandated process to investigate voting irregularities has been allowed to run its course.  Ultimately, however, ordinary Afghans need to have their courage respected with a fair and credible outcome.

The Afghan government must demonstrate its resilience and weather these challenges in a transparent and procedurally fair way.  The Afghan people did not defy insurgent intimidation and their orchestrated campaign of violence to simply let their votes go unrecognised.  The courage Afghan voters displayed on election day is a clear reminder of the importance of our mission and of what we are fighting for.  We are striving for development, security and good governance.  All three are mutually reinforcing.

But the election also shows that building good governance will not occur overnight.  It will require enduring commitment and support to embed the institutions and processes we in the democratic world take for granted.  While the international community is playing its part, the Afghan government must do more to fulfill its end of the bargain.  It must address the scourge of corruption and the narcotics trade and strengthen governance arrangements.  More needs to be done to improve health care and promote the status of women.  It must do a better job of delivering essential services to the people and fast track nation building efforts.  

The success of ISAF’s counter-insurgency campaign is dependent on the partnership with a credible and legitimate domestic government.    This must be a priority over the coming period.

On balance, ladies and gentlemen, I believe Australia is making an effective and valuable contribution to international efforts.  While there is still much to do, we are making steady progress and we are heading in the right direction.  

Australia is doing its part and I urge sustained contributions from like minded partners.  We are there to contribute to the stabilisation of the Afghan state because ultimately an insecure Afghanistan means an insecure world. 

Australia is there to train the Afghan National Army and police forces so that the Afghan people can manage their own security.  And we are developing essential infrastructure and services to create the conditions for longer-term growth. 

Despite the tremendous risks, we must continue with strong resolve.  We owe this to the eleven Australian soldiers who have lost their lives, and the many who have been wounded, in Afghanistan since 2001 and the many more who have been wounded.  We owe this to Afghan National Army personnel who have also lost their lives to this cause.   The men and women of the ADF are carrying out their work with courage and professionalism in conditions of real hardship.  As someone who knows first hand the dangers of serving in a high threat environment, I pay tribute to their bravery, dedication and sacrifice.

Our task in Afghanistan is not an easy one.  Nor is it one we can abandon.  Helping Afghanistan recover after decades of civil war, the repressive rule of the Taliban and the aftermath of the insurgency is a long-term challenge for us all.  

But it is an important struggle and one in which we must prevail.  Afghanistan is critical to regional and global security and all Australians have a stake in its stability.  

As you discuss these issues over the next two days, we should not lose sight of the progress that has been made to date nor the danger and difficulty that lies ahead.  But most of all, we should be in no doubt that the success in Afghanistan is both achievable and absolutely necessary

Media contacts:

Mark Sjolander (Dr Mike Kelly):             02 6277 4840 or 0407 102 220

Defence Media Liaison:                         02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664