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Canada should stay in Afghanistan: NATO head
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by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | August 6, 2009 at 11:32 am
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Canada has been in Afghanistan since early 2002. Last year the Canadian Parliament voted to continue its commitment to the present mission until 2011. At that time Canada would discontinue it's military mission.
To date Canada has lost 127 soldiers and one Diplomat during this mission.
Today Fogh Rasmussen has called on Canada to continue its mission during. He was making a stop in Khandahar during his Afghanistan visit.
"Of course I’m not going to interfere with the domestic politics in individual allied nations, but seen from an alliance point of view, I would strongly regret if that became the final outcome of the Canadian considerations," he told CBC News.
"I would like to take this opportunity to express my strong appreciation of the significant Canadian contribution to our mission in Afghanistan.
This is only a start of the pressures on the Canadian government, regardless of political stipe. In the days and months ahead it can be assumed that some of this pressure will come from the United States and the UK.
Canadian soldiers have done a fantastic job in Afghanistan, public support is running thin in Canada though. Would it be political suicide for any government to push the extension beyond 2011?
Canada should keep its troops in Afghanistan beyond 2011, NATO's new secretary general says.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen made the remark Thursday while visiting a Canadian development project in Kandahar province. Canada is expected to end its military mission in the country in just 18 months.
"Of course I’m not going to interfere with the domestic politics in individual allied nations, but seen from an alliance point of view, I would strongly regret if that became the final outcome of the Canadian considerations," he told CBC News.
"I would like to take this opportunity to express my strong appreciation of the significant Canadian contribution to our mission in Afghanistan.
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Tanweer
Kabul, Afghanistan
Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
Redwater, Alberta, Canada
MilanSturgis
Washington, District Of Columbia, United States
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Barry ORegan
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Jordan Yerman
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (2)
at 16:36 on August 6th, 2009
Most likely families who lost loved ones may not be too keen to see this mission extended/
at 16:58 on August 6th, 2009
Listening to the feedback of my Regiment (Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry) families are of two trains of thought.
1. Don't waste any more lives; and
2. Why did my son/daughter or husband/wife die, if we just leave with nothing resolved.
By 2011 we will have had a nine year investment in Afghanistan. The troops feel that they are making a difference. There are a lot of unreported good things that happen in Afghanistan. Provincial Reconstruction Teams actually have made the life of Afghanistan citizens better. The Operational Mentor Liaison Teams have a sense of pride in the training and knowledge they have passed on to the Afghanistan National Army.
The trouble is that we do eat our young. Despite real efforts to do debriefs and provide care for those suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, many still fall between the cracks. There is also the effects on families and ruined lives. Children without parents for long periods of time. As this mission continues soldiers keep returning to subsequent tours. One can only imagine the toll that takes on families and the soldier.
It is difficult to return to normal life after six months in a war zone. The shock works both ways. When arriving in Afghanistan or any of other war zone from the land of plenty, Tim Hortons, you get my point, you are almost in a daze for days. Thank God you have buddies that feel the same. The return home is a similar experience.