http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=886619&C=landwar&P=true

New Zealand to Deploy Crack Troops in Afghanistan
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, WELLINGTON, New Zealand

New Zealand will deploy about 50 crack Special Air Service (SAS) troops to Afghanistan to help with security operations in the country, the government said June 1.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said efforts to improve security were essential for the credibility of Afghan parliamentary and provincial elections scheduled for September.

“Failure to stabilize Afghanistan would have consequences for the campaign against terrorism,” Clark said in a statement.

The deployment of the SAS troops, due to leave New Zealand before midday June 2, will be the country’s third in Afghanistan. The second batch of SAS troops returned to New Zealand late last year.

Defense Minister Mark Burton said the soldiers, to be commanded by a New Zealand officer, specialize in long-range reconnaissance and “direct action missions.”

The mission follows an extension to the deployment of the 120-strong New Zealand-led provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan to September 2006.

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