Kevin Rudd in surprise visit to Afghanistan
Updated
Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has made a surprise visit to Australian troops in Afghanistan.
Mr Rudd wished the Australian troops based in the Oruzgan province a Merry Christmas and told them they were not being forgotten back home. The Prime Minister also used the trip to reconfirm Australia's commitment to military forces in Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism.
Michael Edwards
Speaker: Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
(Sound of gunfire.)
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MICHAEL EDWARDS: Australia's special forces contingent in Afghanistan has seen some heavy fighting in recent times but this display of firepower wasn't aimed at the Taliban - it was aimed at impressing the visiting Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd.
KEVIN RUDD: You know that was a very impressive display of firepower and an impressive display of what you do when you harness the kinetic force of this operation against an enemy.
MICHAEL EDWARDS: Kevin Rudd's latest trip to Afghanistan was carried out amid tight secrecy. News of his visit wasn't made public until he'd left Afghanistan.
During his time on the ground he visited Australian troops based at the Tarin Kowt in the Oruzgan Province.
KEVIN RUDD: The purpose of being here is very simple and that is to you, the men and women of the Australian Defence Force, for me as Prime Minister of Australia to say thank you.
MICHAEL EDWARDS: Australia has around 800 troops at the base. They mostly consist of a reconstruction unit and a special forces detachment.
Australia's death toll in Afghanistan stands at seven. Kevin Rudd told the troops Australians are united with them in grief for their lost comrades.
KEVIN RUDD: Australia feels it when we lose one of men and women in uniform. They feel it. They feel it in their guts. They feel it in their heart. I have been to too many funerals. I don't like going, but you know something - when you say goodbye to one of our own, the nation is united in a common purpose.
That is not just to honour what they have done, but on top of it, to reaffirm to every person back home in Australia, what they have done and what you are doing is important.
MICHAEL EDWARDS: Mr Rudd also outlined to the troops his view that progress is being made in Afghanistan.
KEVIN RUDD: The fact that in the year ahead they can go to the ballot box and elect their own people to run their own country, that is an advance of centuries compared to where this place has been.
The fact that young girls in this country, rather than being denied any form of educational opportunity, as occurred under the Taliban, can now go to school and have a decent chance in life and be shown that there are pathways to their own personal future. That is progress.
MICHAEL EDWARDS: Kevin Rudd also used the visit to underscore his commitment to Australia's alliance with the United States and the fight against global terrorism.
He might have only been there for a couple of hours but he left the troops with a Christmas present.
KEVIN RUDD: I was told I could not bring you several cartons of beer. I was told I couldn't bring you several crates of beer. In fact I was told I couldn't bring you any beer at all.
So we thought that the best way to provide some R&R and some encouragement to the Australian test team is for you on camera to show how it is done.
So here is a brand new, all bits and pieces attached, cricket set for this great group of men and women.
