Australia apologises to Afghan government over soldiers' racist comments

Australia's government said on Friday it had apologised to Afghanistan over racist comments and videos posted on the Facebook social networking site by Australian soldiers based in the country's restive south. Australia's military said it had launched an investigation into comments and footage posted online describing Afghanis in racist terms, warning it could jeopardise the country's Afghanistan mission.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith said he had called his Afghan counterpart Abdul Rahim Wardak to apologise for the actions of a small number of Australian soldiers, which echoed more serious abuses by some US soldiers in the country.
"I made the point to him that the chief of the defence force and the chief of army were investigating this matter and in all likelihood disciplinary proceedings would follow," Smith told Australian radio. Australia has around 1,550 troops in Afghanistan, based mainly at Tirin Kot in southern Uruzgan province, and is the largest non-Nato member of the international coalition fighting Taliban insurgents in the country. The comments also reportedly included remarks disparaging Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Both the military and Smith said the postings were unacceptable, with the Australian troops told they could face discharge or jail. Neil James, the executive director of the Australia Defence Association, which represents troops, said the Facebook posts would hurt Canberra's reputation in Afghanistan.