Tony Abbott visits Afghanistan to declare Australia's war over
PM says war is ending 'not with victory, not with defeat' at recognition ceremony also attended by Bill Shorten
Bill Shorten and Tony Abbott lay wreaths as a mark of respect to the fallen during the recognition ceremony. Photograph: Australian Department of Defence/AAP
Oliver Laughland and agencies
theguardian.com, Monday 28 October 2013 16.39 EDT
Tony Abbott has declared an end to Australia’s frontline involvement in Afghanistan during a surprise visit to troops, saying the ADF’s presence in Uruzgan province had been worth its “high price”.
The prime minister spoke at a special ceremony at the ADF-operated Tarin Kowt base in Uruzgan province. He confirmed the Australian mission in the region would wind down by the end of the year.
“It has been worth it. This has been a very difficult commitment. People have paid a high price. We have lost 40 of our best. We mourn them, we remember them, we honour them, we want to work with their families. We will never forget them," Abbott said.
He added that Australia’s involvement was ending, “not with victory, not with defeat, but with, we hope, an Afghanistan that is better for our presence here”.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/29/tony-abbott-visits-afghanistan-australias-war-over
That was easy.
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