New Zealand Rejects Karzai's Call for End of Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan

The Minister of Defence of New Zealand has rejected calls by Karzai to dismantle the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan. New Zealand has been running the PRT in Bamyan Province in central Afghanistan for several years. 

"Speaking to the BBC, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai said the provincial reconstruction teams throughout the country are hindering the development of home-grown institutions. Mr Karzai said the teams are like an alternative system of government and threaten to undermine stability in Afghanistan.

There are 125 Defence Force personnel with New Zealand's Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan province in central Afghanistan. The team has been based there since 2003 running regular security patrols and working with local companies to build bridges, schools and police stations." 

Read more in the news article "Minister defends work of NZ team in Bamyan", Radio New Zealand News, February 10, 2011.