Faulkner meets on Afghanistan in Holland

Faulkner meets on Afghanistan in Holland

Newly appointed Defence Minister John Faulkner has met with counterparts from
countries contributing to the effort in Afghanistan.

US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates and British Secretary of State for the Ministry
of Defence Bob Ainsworth were among top officials that met with Senator Faulkner.
Senator Faulkner attended a meeting near Maastricht in the Netherlands of nations
contributing to NATO-led operations in southern Afghanistan.
He then headed to Brussels in Belgium, where he took part in another NATO meeting on
Afghanistan.
Senator Faulkner had discussions with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
and Afghan Defence Minister General Abdul Rahim Wardak.
"It has been of great benefit to meet with my international counterparts to discuss
these important issues and our shared commitment to Regional Command (South) in
southern Afghanistan," Senator Faulkner said.
He took over the defence portfolio after Joel Fitzgibbon's controversial resignation
last week.