Major General Stretton says bring home Aussies from Afghanistan

"Major General Alan Stretton, an army chief of staff during the Vietnam war, says it [the Aghan War] is an unwinnable war and Australian soldiers should be brought home.

"What are they going to do if the casualties rise to 20, 50, 100? They'll be absolutely galvanised into action from a political point of view because they'll be under great pressure from the Australian public," he said.

In a letter to the editor in The Australian newspaper, the former senior army officer asked: "How many fine young Australians need to be sacrificed in Afghanistan before the Government realises this war is unwinnable?"

And he also spoke to ABC Local Radio in Brisbane about his concerns.

"I feel very strongly about it. And I think there's a greater number of Australians thinking more strongly about it," he said.

"After all, we've been there nine years and virtually achieved nothing."

The Greens will move a motion to have the Federal Parliament debate the issue next week.

Greens Leader Bob Brown says it is time for a parliamentary debate about Australia's continuing role in Afghanistan.

"There is a growing feeling among the Australian people that this is not our war and that the Australian Defence Force personnel should be home here in Australia," he said.
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Categories: afghanistan, war, military, australia, peace, war-on-terror