International Socialists

NZ SAS: Not building schools

The Government has announced today that it will be sending up to 70 SAS troops to Afghanistan. This is a complete joke. All Western forces should instead withdraw from this so called 'front line' on the War on Terror.

Most people admit that when the USSR invaded to Afghanistan that it was a clear case of imperalism. The West, especially the US, backed the Mujahideen to bleed the Soviets dry. The West knew that they were supporting radical Muslims - a fact that they would overlook much later on. And when the West invaded Afghanistan it was sold to us as liberation. 

The US operates approximately 700 military bases in around 100 different nations around the world.  The 2001 invasion of Afghanistan was never about democracy or freedom. It was about the Bush / Blair plan to take control of the region. Afghanistan is situated in a powerful area. It is close to India, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, and China. 

The average Afghani is no better off now that the West has taken control. The government has little control outside of the capital. Warlods and poppy fields are a reality for large parts of the country. Thousands of civilians continue to die each year. 

We should be ashamed that the elite New Zealand troops are being sent to Afghanistan. You are a fool if you believe that they are there to build schools or hospitals. These guys are trained killers.

Furthermore, there is a real risk that we could see New Zealand troops coming home in body bags soon. July 2009 was the deadliest month for foreign troops since the war began. If the Taliban cannot be defeated after nearly 8 years, do you really believe that more bloodshed is the answer?

Shame on John Key. Shame on Obama.