Harper Says Canada Anticipates Staying in Afghanistan Longer
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he anticipates keeping troops and aid workers in Afghanistan, beyond when their current mandates are set to expire starting with a military mission that runs to 2009.
Canada in two years will make recommendations about future work in Afghanistan, and the mandate will probably shift as Canadian soldiers finish training a new local army, Harper said today at a press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
I dont anticipate that we will leave but I certainly anticipate our role will evolve and change, Harper, 47, said. Karzai said Afghanistan is grateful for Canadas help so far and would also welcome an extended mission.
More : bloomberg.com
Related Travel Information
Deaths explain Canada mission: PM
Prime Minister Stephen Harper defended the military mission in Afghanistan against a new barrage of opposition criticism, saying the latest Canadian deaths in the country highlight the evil they are trying to eradicate.
Harper pointed out that four servicemen who were killed today died at the hand of a suicide bomber while they were handing out candy to village children.
I think nothing more than this incident illustrates the evil that they are fighting and the goodwill and nobleness of the cause they are taking to the Afghan people, Harper told the House of Commons.
More
Harper can still do a lot of damage to Canada's social and political systems, argues Linda McQuaig
There was an almost audible sigh of relief in many parts of the country when Stephen Harper was denied a majority government. After all, how much damage can even an earnest right-wing ideologue do with only a slim minority?Sadly, quite a bit.
First, Harper effectively has a majority for at least a year, since no party will be ready to face him in an election. Of course, he'll tread carefully during this period, since his eye is on winning a majority.
Still, Harper can do a
Fallen soldiers begin journey home to Canada
The bodies of four Canadian soldiers killed in a suicide bomb attack Monday are on their way back to Canada.
Hundreds of troops from the NATO contingent in Afghanistan paid tribute to the soldiers as their remains were loaded onto a C-130 Hercules airplane.
Afterward, Canadian troopmates of the four fallen soldiers held a private service on the ramp of the aircraft. They streamed past the four coffins in a final farewell.
Among them was an injured soldier wearing bandages who limped through the line. Several others comforted each other with hugs.
More : theglobeandmail.com
Afghanistan not "Canada's Iraq", says defense minister
Afghanistan will not become "Canada's Iraq" as critics have suggested and Canada will carry on its mission in the country until the task is fulfilled, Defense Minister Gordon O'Connor said Sunday.
O'Connor rejected criticism that there is no exit strategy for Canadian troops, saying Canadian troops provide security and stability enabling Afghan military and police units to be trained,who then take over gradually.
Canadian soldiers are creating stability, transition and then exit, he said.
O'Connor also asserted that there will be no
No deployment in Pakistan, says Canada
Canada has no plans to deploy troops to Pakistans border with Afghanistan, Defence Minister Gordon OConnor said, denying reports that he had suggested such a deployment.
However, he added in a statement late Saturday, cooperation between Canadian and Pakistan troops fighting Al Qaeda and Taliban forces along the border could involve placing a few Canadian liaison officers with the Pakistan military.
At no time did I advocate, suggest or imply I favoured stand-alone Canadian troop deployment in Pakistan, OConnor said of Canadian media reports after his visit to Islamabad.
More : dawn.com
