The article won numerous international journalism awards for its findings into new zealands military involvement in afghanistan. Its likely that some time this week bill english will announce that there will be no inquiry into operation burnham. He produced a book whose detail and footnotes will be an essential tool for whoever writes the history of new zealands commitment to afghanistan. Defence force chief slams major inaccuracies in sas afghanistan allegations. The book alleges the sas killed six civilians and injured 15 more during a raid on two isolated villages in tirgiran valley, baghlan, afghanistan on august 22 2010. The nzdf response is bizarre hit and run coauthors nicky hager and jon stephenson stand by the facts in their book. The nzdf objectives a1 and a2 are the buildings belonging to abdullah kalta seen in a photo on p.
Paula penfold has shown once again that investigative journalism can still be made in nz with her latest stuff circuit expose on the truth of what our nzdf have really been doing in afghanistan sadly, the deeply competitive news market between duopolies means that one sides scoop is ignored by the other side so as to not give the opposition oxygen. New war crime allegations by nzdf must be investigated the. Defence force chief lieutenant general tim keating has slammed major inaccuracies in a book about alleged sas involvement in the death of afghanistan civilians, saying kiwi troops never operated. Since 20, the new zealand defence force has contributed personnel to the afghan national army officer academy just outside of kabul to mentor and support the development of afghan national security forces. Speech notes for press conference on operation burnham. Two new zealand soldiers killed in afghanistan by john braddock 16 august 2012 two new zealand soldiers were killed in an ambush in afghanistans bamiyan province on august 4, bringing the number of nz deaths in the decadelong, neocolonial occupation. The unspoken requirement for nzdf chaplains to pray in support of the war in afghanistan, the deification of fallen comrades and the glorification of battle serve as other examples of the spiritual parallels between modern military service.
The final rotations focus was on continuing to mentor and train afghan national security forces ansf, and prepare bamyan for the nzdfs withdrawal. Nzdf blocked craig wilsons account of the infamous battle but. Ngati tumatauenga, tribe of the god of war is the land component of the new zealand defence force and comprises around 4,500 regular force personnel, 2,000 territorial force personnel and 500 civilians. The defence force has now admitted that photographs in the controversial book hit and run are of an afghan village the sas attacked in. Fronting up to the truth, whatever it may be, is better than the perception of a shabby coverup. Nzdf leaders to be grilled over afghanistan civilian. Jan 06, 2020 this publication provides position descriptions for new zealand defence force nzdf personnel deployed into staff officer roles in the combined joint task forceoperation inherent resolve referred to as operation mohua, in support of the building partner capacity mission in iraq. Present and past top brass within the new zealand defence force nzdf will be grilled at an inquiry into a raid in afghanistan nearly a decade ago. Investigative journalist has been revealing the truth of nz involvement in afghanistan since 2011 nicky hager is author of the book investigative journalist, jon stephenson is the other.
Aug 16, 2018 investigation into new zealands possible involvement with the cias detention and interrogation program in afghanistan between 2001 and 2009. The media release pages on the main nzdf site have recently been reorganised. Nzsis unlawfully helped defence force target journalist. Practically speaking, denying or minimizing of nzdf involvement in combat activities, to include intelligence and other support functions, is done to keep nzs military operations off the jihadist radarscope and thereby diminish the chances that new zealand interests abroad or at home are attacked in retaliation. Cassidy, author of the new, critically acclaimed book, war, will, and warlords.
The nzdf does not undertake investigations or inquiries into the actions of forces from other nations. Formerly the new zealand military forces, the current name was adopted by the new zealand army act 1950. Aug 16, 2018 in march last year, nicky hager and jon stephensons book hit and run. Nzdf buys ron markendorsed book but says its terrible nz herald. New zealand militarys unexploded bombs killed afghan civilians by tom peters 22 november 2019 new zealands military was responsible for. Double heartache for army family as brother of fallen afghanistan soldier is found dead near graveyard. The new zealand defence force is standing by the actions of its soldiers, after a book by nicky hager and jon stephenson said elite new zealand troops in afghanistan may have been guilty of war. Nzdf contribution in afghanistan increased ministry of defence. Jul 10, 2019 overriding this, the wellbeing government decided to hold an inquiry, bearing in mind the need for the public to have confidence in the nzdf. It was an action by soldiers of nzs elite sas, operating. Nzdf maintains stance that allegations of civilian casualties in. Nov 22, 2019 new zealand militarys unexploded bombs killed afghan civilians by tom peters 22 november 2019 new zealands military was responsible for 17 civilian deaths and injuries, including the deaths. Nzdf medals breaking news new zealand defence force. The afghanistan national peace and development framework anpdf is a fiveyear strategic plan for achieving selfreliance.
A damning nz defence force report on our largest commitment to afghanistan is hugely critical of politicians and senior commanders, along with many other aspects of our decadelong deployment to the country. The prt has been extended through until september 2006. There are still 10 personnel in training roles with the afghan national army. So what is going on with the inquiry which the government decided should be held into operation burnham and related events. Two noncommissioned officers assisting with the training of the afghan national army. Cab min 02, 020218 erd 02 2 afghanistan further new zealand contribution 223 01 mar 2002 cabinet minute 02 62a issued, authorising an extension of deployment of nzdf elements to six months. The defence minister, ron mark, acknowledged that interoperability is a focus for the nzdf, but said that the nzdfs involvement in us military space initiatives is primarily about improving its. The new zealand sas in afghanistan and the meaning of honour, published details of a mission called operation burnham. Five nzdf personnel are in the middle east to provide a support mechanism for nzdf force elements deployed to afghanistan and to assist colocated coalition partners. New zealand soldiers on patrol in bamiyan township, afghanistan. Nicky hager is a prominent investigative journalist, whose seventh book was released last week.
In august 2017, cabinet agreed to increase new zealands contribution to the natos resolute support mission in afghanistan by an additional three personnel. The twenty first and final rotation of new zealand defence force personnel in the new zealand provincial reconstruction team nzprt left afghanistan in april 20. Thoughts on anzac day and the inquiry into hit and run. If every new zealander could read hagers and stephensons body of work on afghanistan and then read all that the nzdfs and governments media releases and statements say about why we were and still are in afghanistan, what our purpose and role is, and what difference we have made to that country, he or she would be left thinking there. The war in afghanistan and the construction of a narrative twelve years, four months, and one week. The nzdf has contributed to international military efforts in afghanistan since 2001. Unama the nzdf contribution to the united nations assistance mission afghanistan unama is one officer. New zealand boosts army commitment, by three this article is more than 2 years old. Herald catch nzdf out in war crime lie the daily blog. The central premise of nicky hager and jon stephensons book, hit and run, is incorrect, says the chief of defence force, lieutenant general tim keating nzdf troops never operated in the two villages identified in the book as having been the scene of combat operations and civilian casualties. The book details a new zealand special air serviceled raid on two isolated villages in afghanistan in search of fighters they suspected were responsible for the death of a new zealand soldier. The acting inspectorgeneral of intelligence and security has determined that new zealand spies helped the nz defence force nzdf try to identify a source in a journalists book. The new zealand army traces its history from settler.
New war crime allegations by nzdf must be investigated. The book, by investigative journalists jon stephenson and nicky hager, claims six civilians died and 15 were wounded in raids involving american helicopter gunships, afghan forces and new zealand soldiers after a new zealand soldier was killed by a bomb. Wayne mcdonalds book on first world war honours and awards to new zealand military personnel now available for free online 21 august 2019. Defence force chief slams major inaccuracies in sas. Mar 22, 2019 the twenty first and final rotation of nzdf personnel in the new zealand provincial reconstruction team nzprt left afghanistan in april 20. The provincial reconstruction team in bamyan consisting of about 120 nzdf personnel. This followed the controversy stirred up by the publication in hit and run, a book written by nicky hager and jon stephenson, of allegations that six civilians were killed and 15 injured in a. New zealand committed the new zealand special air service nzsas in 2001 to assist the united states forces in afghanistan in the hunt for the alqaeda leadership. Mar 26, 2017 i have no information to indicate involvement of nzdf personnel, directly or indirectly, in the torture or mistreatment of detainees in iraq or afghanistan, he wrote. The inquiry into that continues with hearings next week. Hit and run so who is keeping score of the mounting. Nz herald has obtained a defence force draft report on their deployment in bamiyan, afghanistan.
This includes new zealands provincial reconstruction team in bamyan 2003, which had a peak of around 140 personnel deployed. Jul 27, 2009 afghanistan itself is where the information war is being lost against taleban propaganda. Funding nzdf at 2% gdp to recruit a work force that executes basic nzdf roles in conjunction with closing the infrastructure gap is essential. For the last few years ive become increasingly concerned by the way anzac day is commemorated. A new nz herald interactive details the geographic location in which the authors of the book and the new zealand defence force argued where the infamous operation burnham took place in afghanistan. The new zealand sas in afghanistan and the meaning of honour, published details of a. The war on terror and language politics he dont even. It seems, they said, to be nothing more than an attempt to squirt ink in the water. He has produced six books since 1996, covering topics such as intelligence networks, environmental issues and politics. New zealand government launches sham inquiry into afghan war. The nz defence force has rejected the books claims, saying. New zealand deployments to afghanistan questions and answers what deployments does new zealand have in afghanistan.
Until april 20, this involved sending provincial reconstruction teams to bamiyan province to help create a secure environment for reconstruction and development to take place. How nzdf gave minister wrong info on civilian deaths in hit. The operation in afghanistan in which the nzsas were involved was the subject of the book hit and run. Nicky hager launches coauthored book about sas in afghanistan. Defence force chief lieutenant general tim keating has slammed major inaccuracies in a book about alleged sas involvement in the death of. Operation burnham was a joint military operation undertaken by the new zealand special air. According to the book, one of the suspected insurgents, qari miraj, was later captured in kabul, beaten by an sas trooper and handed to the afghan secret police, where he was tortured.
Indeed, any implication that members of the nzdf would knowingly use or be involved in the torture of detainees is abhorrent. We all know that because thats constantly used as the motivating factor for the war in afghanistan. This is a book based on a cia paramilitary operations officer who worked in the operation jawbreaker, being the. In april, the government announced it would launch an inquiry into the books allegations about the new zealand defence force nzdf and the raid. But the nzdf has been resolute in its obstruction to discussing its role in afghanistan. Here is a collection of articles to give a background to yesterdays revelations. How nzdf gave minister wrong info on civilian deaths in. This means that some of the links below are not currently working. Last week the nzdf confirmed the photos in the book were in fact the same location where the mission took place. New zealand government launches sham inquiry into afghan. Coauthored with jon stephenson, it details a raid led by new zealands special forces, the special air service nzsas, conducted in august 2010 in afghanistans baghlan province. If you want to read things that give a lot more perspective about our policies in the middle east and afghanistan, in particular, this book is an amazing read and will answer so many questions about why and how we were in involved. Operation burnham, you will recall, happened nearly nine years ago to be precise, in august 2122, 2010, in tirgiran valley in afghanistan. Last week the nzdf confirmed the photos in the book were in.
The sas raid was in a different village with a different name. Danny broughton, as warrant officer of the new zealand defence force nzdf, made significant contributions to welfare and development matters, particularly from 2014 to 2018, that have assisted nzdf in becoming a more effective, inclusive and responsive military organisation. In march last year, nicky hager and jon stephensons book hit and run. Thats how long the united states and the international security assistance force have been in afghanistan. The nzdf claimed that operation burnham had taken place at tirgiran. Below are links to relevant information and documents. Defence force chief lieutenant general tim keating has slammed major inaccuracies in a book about alleged sas involvement in the death of afghanistan civilians, saying kiwi troops never operated in the two villages identified as the site of the attack. New zealands spy agency unlawfully provided investigative assistance after acquiring the phone records of investigative journalist nicky hagar and a person suspected of being a source, according. Spy agency unlawfully provided investigative assistance. They say the nzdf response to the book issued on sunday night is bizarre and a continuation of seven years of cover up. He is one of two new zealand members of the international consortium of investigative journalists.
Hit and run so who is keeping score of the mounting costs. New zealand accused of coverup over afghan civilian deaths. Two will deploy to resolute support mission headquarters, and one to the united kingdomled afghan national army officer academy. New zealand has had a military contribution in afghanistan since 2001, with over 3,500 new zealand defence force nzdf personnel deployed in total. The book alleged that nzsas troops had been involved in the killing of civilians during operation burnham and that this had been covered up by the new zealand defence force. New zealand militarys unexploded bombs killed afghan.
Ultimately the decision on new zealands involvement, including deploying the sas, is a political one. It has been revealed that firing ranges used by the nzdf while deployed to the provincial reconstruction team prt in bamyan province, afghanistan, contained unexploded ordnance that caused numerous deaths and injuries after the nzdf withdrew the prt in april 20. Counterinsurgency in afghanistan and pakistan, 20012011, describes the lessons learned after ten years of war in afghanistan. Sep 10, 2017 if every new zealander could read hagers and stephensons body of work on afghanistan and then read all that the nzdfs and governments media releases and statements say about why we were and still are in afghanistan, what our purpose and role is, and what difference we have made to that country, he or she would be left thinking there. But even through this, we have not done what should be done. The nzdf will lose any opportunity to clear its name. In anticipation of its participation in the government inquiry, the nzdf has established a special inquiry office. Breaking news the latest news about new medals and about medallic issues. The academy is led by the united kingdom and forms part of the north atlantic treaty organizations resolute support mission in afghanistan. The sustainable development that will help afghanistan meet its many challenges, bring an end to poverty, and ensure security and stability for our country will take longer than a single generation to realize.
Government announces extra noncombat personnel, boosting contingent to, as part of nato mission. Spy agency unlawfully provided investigative assistance over. Hager and stephenson called for a full, independent inquiry into the events of operation burnham. Nicky hager born 1958 is a new zealand investigative journalist. In this second part of a twopart interview by government book talk blog editor michele bartram, col. Nzdf is rejecting a new book s claims that sas soldiers led a. I have no information to indicate involvement of nzdf personnel, directly or indirectly, in the torture or mistreatment of detainees in iraq or afghanistan, he wrote. Practically speaking, denying or minimizing of nzdf involvement in combat activities, to include intelligence and other support functions, is done to keep nzs military operations off the jihadist radarscope and thereby diminish the chances that new zealand interests abroad. The nzdf will never clear its name and neither will bill.
New book claims john key gave green light to deadly sas. Book claims killing of civilians in raids on two villages amounts to dark. The nzdf issued this graphic of what it calls the alleged versus the actual operation area. The book alleged that nzsas troops had been involved in the killing of. Operation burnham was a joint military operation undertaken by the new zealand special air service and elements of the afghan crisis response unit and international security assistance force in afghanistans tirgiran valley on 2122 october 2010. To me, the commemoration has become less about acknowledging the horrendous losses of those who went to war or equally importantly, about the need to learn from history and work towards global peace and more about some. During the war in afghanistan, elements of the new zealand defence force. In march 2017, using questionable sources, and not going to the village themselves which by their own admission was still controlled by the taleban, jon stephenson and nicky hagar released a book called hit and run, which made a number of extremely serious allegations against nzdf in afghanistan. The united states involvement in afghanistan has caused a great deal of money, debate, fear, death and so on. Cdf approves an amendment to directive 442001 to extend nzdf forces in afghanistan. New book claims john key gave green light to deadly sas raid in. In anticipation of its participation in the government. New zealand committed the new zealand special air service nzsas in 2001 to assist the united states forces in.
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