Submit your comments on this article | |
Afghanistan | |
Karzai pleads with Canada: Don't pull out troops | |
2007-09-19 | |
Afghan President Hamid Karzai pleaded with Canada on Tuesday not to withdraw its 2,500 troops when their mission ends in early 2009, saying to do so would only help deliver his country back to the Taliban, the Globe and Mail newspaper reported. Karzai made his comments to a special meeting of all Canadian reporters based in Afghanistan. "The presence of Canada is needed until Afghanistan is able to defend itself, and that day is not going to be in 2009," a story on the Globe Web site quoted him as saying. So far 70 Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan, most of them in roadside bomb explosions near their base in the southern city of Kandahar. Canada's minority Conservative government says it will not extend the mission unless Parliament approves the idea, something that seems highly unlikely. "If you leave prematurely, before we can defend ourselves in terms of our own abilities, government, institutions, and all associated factors, Afghanistan will fall back," the Globe quoted Karzai as saying. Earlier he remarked that "anarchy will bring back safe havens to terrorists, among other things, and terrorists will then hurt you back there in Canada and the United States. Simple as that." Opposition parties in Canada say the troops have spent far too much time fighting the Taliban, while neglecting the effort to help rebuild the country.
| |
Posted by:lotp |
#4 Yes, and we were positively thrilled that the Conservatives did so well the last time out, Canuckistan sniper. There was much rejoicing here at Rantburg when the results were announced. ;-) |
Posted by: trailing wife 2007-09-19 17:20 |
#3 We're hoping it goes well, Canuckistan Sniper. I think I speak for the mod whose comment appears above as well as myself on that one. |
Posted by: lotp 2007-09-19 13:28 |
#2 The inline commenter should be advised that there are a ton of Canadian civil affairs and reconstruction types working in Afghanistan. If the (dis)loyal opposition had their way there would be nothing BUT civil affairs and reconstruction people there and ABSOLUTELY NO FIGHTING SOLDIERS at all. IF a Federal election is forced upon the country before February of 2009 and IF the Conservative party of Canada subsequently wins a majority, then and only then will there be a commitment to continuing the military mission. The next 17 months will be very declarative of Canada's future. |
Posted by: Canuckistan sniper 2007-09-19 11:15 |
#1 With the election of a member of parliament from the Trotskyite NDP a few days ago, don't expect Canada's commitment to get any stronger. |
Posted by: Gleck Unavising7367 2007-09-19 09:36 |