The Government has clarified its position on the withdrawal of SAS troops from Afghanistan.
It may be that they won't pull out next March, as stated on Thursday morning by Defence Minister Wayne Mapp.
The SAS deployment was originally due to end in March, but after a secret visit to Afghanistan in May, Prime Minister John Key left open speculation that the stay might be extended.
That possibility seemed to have been laid to rest on Thursday morning when Mr Mapp told a parliamentary select committee that Cabinet had only approved the deployment until March 2011.
He has subsequently said, however, that the decision could still be reviewed and that Cabinet has yet to discuss it.
Prime Minister John Key has chimed in, saying Cabinet will make its decision by November. The SAS itself, he says, is keen for a small contingent to stay on after March.
Mr Key says SAS troops replaced a Norwegian contingent, and New Zealand will have to give reasonable notice so that replacements can be found.
Personnel cut in September 2011
The SAS aside, the Government has given the clearest indication yet that it will reduce the number of military personnel in Afghanistan after September next year.
New Zealand currently has about 200 troops and military personnel there.
Most are serving with the provincial reconstruction team, or PRT, based in Bamyan province, which is focused on rebuilding infrastructure and strengthening the influence of the Afghan transitional government.
Dr Mapp says the number is likely to drop dramatically after September next year, when the PRT's mission is due to end.
