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| Great White North |
| Canada’s troops in Kabul to carry guns |
| 2003-05-15 |
| Members of a Canadian military reconnaissance team in Kabul are finally allowed to carry guns and no longer have to rely on German soldiers for protection, Defence Minister John McCallum said Wednesday. A Defence spokesman said official status in the International Security Assistance Force was granted two days ago, one more step toward full operational status in the Afghan capital. Those waiting periods before you can get a carry permit are getting out of hand. Leon Benoit, the Canadian Alliance defence critic, told the Commons the government has "a terrible track record when it comes to ensuring that our troops are properly equipped." Mr. McCallum has played down the issue, saying the 25-member reconnaissance team is safe. The team is conducting engineering work, camp preparation, logistical assessments and liaison. The main body of 1,800 troops begin departing for Kabul in June with the last arriving in August, likely transported by chartered aircraft. Since they don't have any airlift of their own to speak of. ISAF troops have been subjected to frequent attacks in recent months from Taliban and al-Qaeda fugitives, and loyalists of rebel leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, most recently this week when two Norwegians were wounded. The 5,000-member force is United Nations sanctioned but not UN-led. NATO agreed to take over that job last week. Mr. McCallum announced last week that Canada has formally offered to take over ISAF leadership during the contingent's second six-month rotation beginning next February. "Please let us lead something" The main elements of the force — a battle group, a brigade headquarters and a headquarters group — will come from Petawawa, Ont. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #2 Er, anybody see any mention of when they get bullets too??? |
| Posted by: The Kid 2003-05-15 13:50:29 |
| #1 It sounds like your average townsfolk in northern Arkansas are better armed than Canadian military men! Sheesh. |
| Posted by: Scooter McGruder 2003-05-15 12:25:26 |