Afghanistan: Former Prime Minister John Howard blasts ABC TV host over ‘unfair generalisation’

In a heated TV interview, former Prime Minister John Howard was grilled over why locals who worked with Australian forces in Afghanistan have not yet been evacuated.

Former Prime Minister John Howard was questioned about why locals who helped Australian forces in Afghanistan have not yet been evacuated during a heated TV interview.

Speaking on ABC TV’s 7.40, Mr Howard was grilled by host Leigh Sales on the topic, accusing Ms Sales of making a “completely unfair generalisation”.

Asked why anyone would ever again risk their lives to help Australians, Mr Howard said it was inaccurate to suggest the federal government considered Afghans a “low priority”.

“I think you’re making a judgment that can’t be justified on the known facts,” Mr Howard told 7.30. “You’re implying that the government is not trying.”

Mr Howard, who was Prime Minister when Australia joined the US in Afghanistan in 2001, said several Afghans have already returned to Australia and that some would have wanted to remain to serve their state.

“You’re making just a completely unfair generalisation about the behaviour of the government,” Mr Howard said.

The former PM said it was far too early to make judgments on where or how the government has failed while agreeing the withdrawal could have been more orderly.

“But we had to deal, obviously, with the situation that we faced (at that time),” Mr Howard said.

“And I think it is quite unfair on the government to suggest we haven’t even bothered to help any of the people who’ve helped us.”

Mr Howard added that while there are “undoubtedly elements” of al-Qaida still in Afghanistan, other terrorist attacks after September 11 had not materialised out of Afghanistan.

“So on that criterion, the mission, whatever may be said of it, has not been a failure,” Mr Howard said in the hearted interview.

AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY GUARDS ‘IN HIDING’

The Taliban are on a door-to-door hunt for local contractors who worked for the Australian embassy, armed with a list of names believed provided by former Afghan Government officials.

The embassy employed 169 guards during its operation for 24/7 overwatch of five official locations including the embassy office compound and residences.

But it is understood just three have had visa approvals — to relocate to Australia — with others told their applications were being processed.

One day ago one family hiding in a basement with a rug over the hatch was asked by DFAT via email to access his computer and again complete application forms.

Australian Embassy in Kabul former head of security Paul Johnstone with a locally contracted guard. Picture: Supplied

Most of the men and their families are stuck outside of the fortified Kabul airport and are in hiding.

There are another at least 100 translators who have also appealed for Australia’s help.

Paul Johnstone, who spent 15 years in the Australian Army including Commando intelligence and a decade as a senior Australian Federal Police agent, is in telephone contact with 20 of the former locally employed security guards.

Mr Johnstone who later became a security contractor boss for the embassy for a year said it was shameful how the loyal former guards were now being treated by the government.

Indian Nationals prepare to board an Indian military aircraft at the airport in Kabul to be evacuated after the Taliban’s stunning takeover of Afghanistan. Picture: AFP

He said one guard’s family had the Taliban come to their house looking for him and had a list of names of other contractors employed by the Australian embassy.

“Another guard got a call on his mobile saying they were working on behalf of the Taliban and said it might take them days or weeks but they would eventually find him,” Mr Johnstone said.

“It’s heartbreaking, it really is. The chance of them getting out of their hiding spots to the airport through the Taliban checkpoints are slim. DFAT telling them they have to fill out these new forms online, they are in hiding, they don’t have computers or printers and scanners. That’s how ridiculous this situation is. I’m trying to help them as best we can.”

Australian Defence Force Brigadier Cheryl Pearce talks to orphanage staff and orphans during a visit to an Australian Embassy residence in Kabul in 2016. Picture: AAP

Mr Johnstone said they were losing hope.

“Everyone knew this was going to happen and the process has been a monumental failure.

“I’m up all night talking to them on the phone trying to give them hope but they are losing hope quick. They know they will be used as examples, will be stoned in public or hung for having worked for the infidels.

“They feel let down. They are just distraught. One told me last night ‘thankyou for your support but my wife and I feel very dearly we are not going to make it and we will die here’. You can hear the desperation in his voice, the flame is going out.”

Originally published as Afghanistan: Former Prime Minister John Howard blasts ABC TV host over ‘unfair generalisation’