Two-year limit put on deployment to Iraq
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON
PREVIOUS DEPLOYMENT: NZ in Iraq in 2004.
Kiwi troops could be deployed to Iraq for up to two years after the Iraqi Government opened the door.
Iraq Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari flew into New Zealand yesterday for top-level talks aimed at paving the way for a contingent of Kiwi military trainers to join the war effort.
In meetings with Prime Minister John Key and senior ministers, including Foreign Minister Murray McCully, the Iraqi contingent started thrashing out the terms under which New Zealand would join the effort against the Islamic State.
Peter Meecham/Fairfax NZ
DEFENCE TALKS: Foreign Minister Murray McCully and his Iraq counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari in Auckland yesterday to discuss Kiwi troops joining the effort against Islamic State.
Al-Jaafari's visit was the green light the Government had been waiting for to progress plans to deploy up to 100 military personnel to Iraq, a group that will include military trainers and security forces to protect them.
It is understood the Government is looking at a two-year time limit on the deployment to avoid criticism of signing up to an open-ended war.
But al-Jaafari's visit immediately put the Government on the defensive after it was revealed there was no agreement yet on measures Kiwi troops could take to protect themselves.
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Two-year limit put on deployment to Iraq