'Unfathomable': Australian veterans disgusted by Trump's claim allied troops 'stayed a little back' from frontline
In casting doubt on Nato's reliability, US president references Afghanistan campaign - which involved 40,000 Australian troops and left 47 dead
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S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The head of Australia's largest veteran organisation has categorically rejected Donald Trump's claim that allied soldiers "stayed a little back" from the frontlines when they supported the US campaign in Afghanistan, calling the comments "unfathomable".
The US president made the comments on Fox News on Thursday, saying he was "not sure" Nato would meet the "ultimate test" of defending the US if it were under threat.
"We've never needed them … They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan … and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines," he said, adding the US had been "very good to Europe and to many other countries. It has to be a two-way street."
Starmer rebukes Trump over 'frankly appalling' remarks on Nato troops in AfghanistanRead more
Forty-seven Australian service personnel lost their lives fighting in Afghanistan, while 261 were wounded and almost 40,000 served in what became Australia's longest war.
The Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) national president, Peter Tinley, said he had no doubt the "vast majority" of Australia's 630,000 veterans would be "absolutely disgusted and outraged at what really is a cowardly attack by the president on those who can't defend themselves".
He said the families of the personnel who died would be "completely affronted by the fact that their sacrifice … has been denigrated to the extent that it has. It's just unfathomable.
"It's as senseless as throwing paint on a war memorial and only serves to hurt. It's completely disingenuous," he told Guardian Australia on Saturday.
On Saturday, the Liberal leader aspirant and MP Andrew Hastie called Trump's comments "a massive slur, not just against allied troops but against our Aussie diggers who fought, bled and died alongside Americans".
"One of the most important things in building coalitions and alliances is mutual respect, and a really important virtue in a leader is restraint, and President Trump, by dumping on allied troops, has shown neither," Hastie, who is a former troop commander in the Special Air Service Regiment, continued.
Tinley served as the deputy commander of the special forces task group and was deployed at short notice to Afghanistan to participate in the military response to the September 11 attacks on the US. It was the only time Nato has invoked its mutual defence clause, stating that an attack on one member represents an attack on all.
"We were the lead force for General James Mattis, who went on to be Trump's own Secretary of Defence in his first administration … and then we continued to participate in the longest continuous operation in the history of Australia. Thousands of Australian soldiers, sailors and aircrew participated in that conflict," Tinley said.
He said he hoped Anthony Albanese would clarify with Trump what his comments mean for the future cooperation of Australia under Aukus.
When asked about the comments, government spokesperson said: "Australian Defence Force personnel in Afghanistan made a very significant contribution, and we continue to honour their bravery and sacrifice."
It came as Keir Starmer issued an unprecedented rebuke to Trump for his "insulting and frankly appalling" remarks about British troops in Afghanistan and suggested he should apologise.
Tinley said an apology would be the "minimum effort".
"We need reassurance that they're not going to run away from the fight when they've asked us to do so much," he said.
Jennifer Parker, a non-resident fellow at the Lowy Institute and former naval officer, said Trump's remarks were "deeply disrespectful" to those who served under the Nato-led mission, their families, and Australia, but "did not reflect the values or professionalism" of the US military.
She said the US National Defense Strategy, released on Friday, highlighted the importance of allies, with Australia central to US efforts to deter China.
"That makes these remarks all the more troubling. An apology and acknowledgment of allied sacrifice is warranted.
"We are again in difficult strategic times, where conflict is not unthinkable. Australian Defence Force women and men who serve deserve respect from our closest ally."
Tinley encouraged any ex-service members to contact the Open Arms counselling service should they be encountering challenges as a result of the news.
"I'm absolutely here to reassure every veteran and their family that the RSL completely and utterly understands the situation they're in," he said.
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Whan Trump or his clown-car-cabinet say something so stupid, I have to wonder...
Do they know no better?
Are they intentionally being assholes?
Are they correct in believing that their asshole supporters love it when they are assholes themselves?
Yes, but they don't care.
They ARE assholes.
Yes. They love it to death. Literally.
I believe they know better. One would have to be a moron to not know better.
I believe they are intentionally obsequious to stay in good favor with Trump. They have set aside critical thinking, morality, honesty, self-respect, character, etc. for political power.
Supporters seem to be waning, but there is still a strong critical mass of stubborn Trump supporters who will not even acknowledge that the government just senselessly killed two of our fellow citizens and instead take the sickening route of trying to paint these victims as the bad guys.
Morally, they are accessories after the fact. For murder.
trump doesn't care, thanks to SCOTUS he has immunity for "official acts"
It is appalling that this buffoon is the voice, face, and hand of our nation.
... in servitude to putin.
Trump thinks a lot slower than he talks. Should get him in a lot more trouble than it does.
Well, Trump only likes soldiers who weren't captured, remember how he trashed McCain? Trump really did refer to dead soldiers as "suckers and losers". And remember when it was raining and Trump failed to attend a WWII memorial overseas?
Trump has zero respect for any troops anywhere.
And MAGA elected him of all people again.
Morning... we all know here Trump is a wanker.
Always was and always will be..
Up yours Trump..🇦🇺
The Kiwis are pretty miffed off as well..🇳🇿
Careful, some here will label you a 'Never Trumper' with words like that.
Of course, a 'Never Trumper' is just a normal rational human who knew Trump was a wanker the moment they laid eyes on him. Becoming enchanted with Trump is like being able to fly with Pixie dust, you have to want to BELIEVE!!! You have to want it to be true regardless of how demonstrably false something is. You squeeze your eyes shut and pretend you're not voting for a 34 time convicted felon, admitted sexual predator and accused child rapist. You cover your ears to shut out the facts about deranged ICE agents gunning people down in the street. And then you have to accuse anyone who isn't deluded and was able to tell what Trump was from the start of being a 'Never Trumper' as if that eliminates any and all complaints or concerns about the manbaby-in-chief. It's the basic MAGA manual.
Evening..just makes you wonder if he makes these stupid and out landish statements to draw attention away from the mess and debacle America is becoming...
The old ploy when everything turns to crap pick a fight with neighbouring countries, say derogatory things and then back pedal, promise to send help but don't, raise tariffs on countries that have traded for years...
The worst though, shoot your own people then in a twisted way try and justify it..
So glad I live on my sand bar and rock..🐨
... lure him and his entourage into the outback for most favored nation status.
Nah... even they have standards..🐊
Although I'm not on my home turf, I'm just as glad as you not to be in America, or not to be an American. If I were, I wouldn't admit it.
that patch of sand could use some compost ...
Morning...we prefer tasty tourist compost.
Pollies are sewerage farm quality...