Canadian Government Moves To Extend Afghan Combat Mission To 2012
This is what you call having the courage of one’s convictions. If the measure fails, then the government will collapse, and they know it. They are risking it all for what they believe in.
“I don’t understand how you can say you keep the army there but they can’t do anything…. You cannot leave our troops as sitting ducks in the field to be killed by the enemy.”
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada said on Friday it plans to keep its 2,500-strong military mission in Afghanistan until the end of 2011, almost three years longer than initially scheduled.
The plan is dependent on NATO sending more troops to southern Afghanistan, where the mission is currently based. The motion will be put to the House of Commons for a vote in March and its defeat would bring down the minority Conservative government, forcing a general election.
The combat mission in Kandahar — which is due to end in February 2009 — has become one of the most controversial topics in domestic politics. Polls regularly show that around half of Canadians want the soldiers back on schedule.
The main Liberal opposition party backs the idea of keeping the troops in Afghanistan longer, but only if their combat role is ended. ( Why not just send in the Peace Corps?) So far, 78 Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan, the majority killed by roadside bombs.
The motion says Parliament “does not believe that Canada should simply abandon the people of Afghanistan after February 2009.”
The government is committed to extending the mission as long as NATO commits an extra 1,000 troops to southern Afghanistan, and Ottawa procures helicopters and unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicles.
Canadian officials are currently in Paris discussing whether France can send troops. Media reports say France is mulling the transfer of a 700-strong battle group.
Liberal leader Stephane Dion said his party would propose amendments to the plan but stressed the combat part of the mission had to end next year — an option the Canadian military has said is unfeasible.
“If they don’t change their minds, we’ll have to make our choice … there is a possibility that there will be an election as there is the possibility that there will not be an election,” Dion told CTV television.
Conservative minister Bobo Van Loan said the government was open to amendments to the plan to extend the mission, but he also attacked Dion, who the Conservatives portray as weak and ineffectual.
“I, quite frankly, have difficulty knowing where the Liberals stand on this issue…. Mr Dion’s position, so far as I can assess it, is one of ‘I can’t make up my mind’,” Van Loan said.
“I don’t understand how you can say you keep the army there but they can’t do anything…. You cannot leave our troops as sitting ducks in the field to be killed by the enemy.”
Van Loan played down speculation that the Conservatives would want to fight a quick election on the Afghan issue.
“I don’t think any political strategist .. would be going there and telling you, ‘Hey, have an election on Afghanistan, that’s a real winner for you’. I don’t think anyone would want to do that,” he said
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Conservative Canadian politicians and the Canadian military deserve utmost respect.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:10 amAbsolutely. win, lose or draw you have to give respect where its due. The conservatives up north who are putting their careers on the line and the Canadian troops for fighting with us over there.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:12 amFirst off Pat, Thank you for putting this article up, Us Canadians are in this 100% no matter what those leftist babies say! Canada has always rose to the occasion, and I hope this time we can say the same. Youa re right, harper is basically tossing his PM and govt in the air, its a hit or strike out situation, but he as the rest of us sees the big picture and realizes we cannot let these extremists take over. Im pretty sure even if everyone else bitches out in Nato and doesnt give the 1000 troops, they will still push for extending the tour, I think that harper is using the 1000 troops as a slap in the face to the other NATO members to say wake the fuck up and do your part, its not a free ride, everyone has to pull their weight.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:18 ammuch appreciated canadian patriots!
February 8th, 2008 at 10:18 amI hope the Conservatives win this one. If we pull out before the job is done, then the brothers I had to send home in a box will have died for nothing. The Conservative government has done a tremendous job of running the country, and finally getting rid of the culture of neglect in the Canadian Forces. After a long dark night we’re finally getting the equipment we need to carry on our duties on the modern battlefield. The Liberals would have us armed with slingshots rather than rifles I’m sure. This is going to be a close one for Canada. I can already hear the country taking that deep breath to hold on to.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:24 amMy hats of to yah, Godspeed.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:26 amWhen the going gets tough, the tough get going, this will give our servicemen 11 years of continuous combat experience.
February 8th, 2008 at 12:44 pmI have no doubt that Harper is committed to this mission for all the right reasons. But he’s also playing a brilliant chess game with Dion, who he has very ably boxed into a corner. There is a significant dissenting sector in the Liberal party (led by Ignatieff)on this issue, so it is very likely to fracture the Liberals even further. And that is good news for the Conservatives if they do bring the government down, but I suspect they’d rather do it over the budget.
February 8th, 2008 at 1:41 pmLiberals are only interested in funding losing battles (ie; Marxism, Socialism, Communism…etc). While the True Soldier fights for what is Best for his country!
Thank God Canada now has Conservatives in office that support their Soldiers!
February 8th, 2008 at 10:06 pm