Afghan bombs kill Australian trooper by Corina Ciubotaru

The Helmand province in Afghanistan is becoming ever more popular lately; it recently became the world's biggest producer of opium poppies and, not surprisingly, the center of Taliban power. It is here that the Talibans have their headquarters and the most attacks happen in this southern part of the troubled country. And it is also here that the Australian forces had their first casualty. Trooper David Pearce was killed by a roadside bomb as he was passing through the region in his light armored vehicle; the blast also injured another soldier and three children. He was a 41-year old loved and respected soldier who loved army life and served in the Reconstruction Task Force, and he also had a wife and two children. Australian Prime Minister John Howard takes full responsibility for sending troops in Afghanistan among growing opposition in regard to the war. Australians would much rather get their troops involved in battles closer to home, which carry greater significance for the country and do humanitarian actions in places like Afghanistan and this issue is shaping up to be the hottest topic for the next period of time, up to the coming elections. The country has the majority of its troops home and around 24,000 of them are ready to be sent to war-zones so Australia could become an important player in the area; in this case it is only natural that the winner of elections will be decided based on promises regarding future actions in the Afghan conflict.

related story: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20071008/tpl-uk-afghan-violence-aa3debf_1.html

by Corina Ciubotaru for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

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