Fed: Rudd praises Afghans, troops over election success

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2009
Fed: Rudd praises Afghans, troops over election success

By Adam Bennett and Vincent Morello

SYDNEY, Aug 21 AAP - Australian politicians have praised the bravery of Afghans who
ignored threats of insurgent violence to vote in Thursday's election.

The Taliban tried to scare voters away from polling booths in the lead-up to the elections,
launching a series of high-profile attacks.

But despite the threats, polling day itself saw only sporadic Taliban violence.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd congratulated the millions of Afghans who defied the insurgents
and voted in the election, echoing similar statements by US President Barack Obama and
the United Nations.

"Let's congratulate the people of Afghanistan, and what I'm advised has been a strong
turnout for these democratic elections in Afghanistan, conducted in the most hostile of
environments," Mr Rudd told reporters in Sydney on Friday.

"I've been to Afghanistan a number of times. I've been to Kabul, I've been to Oruzgan.

This is a very difficult, bloody and dangerous part of the world.

"The fact that you've got the good people of Afghanistan presenting themselves to vote,
despite all of those constraints, is a credit to them and the achievements so far of the
Afghan government."

Mr Rudd also thanked the Australian troops who helped secure Oruzgan province in the
lead-up to the election.

He said that of the 70 reported attacks by Taliban and terrorist insurgents, 16 were
in the Oruzgan Province, where Australian troops are deployed.

One of the attacks, in which Australian troops were engaged, included rocket fire,
mortars and rocket propelled grenades, he said.

"I'll say to all of our men and women in uniform in Afghanistan: Well done on doing
what you have done in what is a very violent environment, to make it possible for as many
people in Afghanistan to get out there and vote as possible," he told reporters.

"The outcome of the election is uncertain in terms of who wins.

"But can I say the fact that we've been able to conduct an election in Afghanistan,
in this extraordinarily difficult environment, is a testament to all those involved."

Defence Minister John Faulkner said the success of the elections was "a tribute to
the resolve of the Afghan people and the efforts of our troops".

"In Oruzgan, where Australian forces supported the Afghan National Security Force in
its lead role providing security for the elections, voters proved their resilience and
determination by turning up and casting their votes," Senator Faulkner said in a statement.

"To quote Lieutenant Colonel Peter Connolly, Commanding Officer of the Mentoring and
Reconstruction Task Force, the people of the province were courageous and gutsy by participating
in the election."

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop said the elections were "an important
step for the fledgling democracy".

AAP ab/hn/jfm/cdh

KEYWORD: AFGHAN AUST WRAP

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