MOSCOW, October 21 (RIA Novosti) - Australian authorities are studying options of early withdrawal of its 1,500-strong military contingent from Afghanistan, ABC News said Wednesday citing Defense Minister John Faulkner.
"I've certainly asked the Australian Defence Force for any recommendations they have about ensuring we do complete that important role and responsibility both effectively, but in the shortest time frame possible," he was quoted as saying.
Faulkner, who is to attend a NATO meeting on Afghanistan later in the day, said the move would certainly affect the U.S. and NATO efforts to boost military presence in the war-torn country.
"I'm not going to talk specifically about the approaches we'll take, but I do acknowledge that there will be impacts on the approach that NATO and ISAF partners will be taking as a result of General McChrystal's 60-day assessment," he said.
General Stanley McChrystal, the ISAF commander, earlier asked President Barack Obama to authorize sending up to 40,000 additional troops to Afghanistan to effectively fight the Taliban.
However, 120 extra Australian soldiers dispatched in Afghanistan to ensure security during the country's presidential polls, will stay for the run-off, scheduled for November 7.
Violence has surged in Afghanistan, with the radical Islamic Taliban group, toppled in the 2001 U.S.-led campaign, staging regular attacks on provincial government officials, police and troops. There were over 70 attacks across the country during the August 20 presidential polls.
