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| Afghanistan |
| Canadians marvel at Kabul’s transformation |
| 2003-12-21 |
| As Afghanistan wrestles to adopt a new constitution, and the United Nations strengthens its call for more soldiers outside Kabul, Canadian soldiers are noticing dramatic changes in the security and economic well-being of the Afghan capital. "You can see buildings that weren’t there a couple of months ago," said Lt.-Col. Don Denne, the commanding officer at Camp Julien, the largest Canadian Forces base in Afghanistan, as he toured Kabul on Saturday. "I’m beginning to see new shops everywhere. Some pretty nice houses too." Even some of Canada’s hockey greats, in Kabul to boost the morale of Canadian troops, have recognized the impact the soldiers have had on security in the capital. "I just talked to my Afghan interpreter, and asked him ’Do you want the Canadian soldiers here?’" Former NHL tough guy Dave (Tiger) Williams said Sunday. "He said ’They have to stay, they have to stay.’ Every day, he says, they’re saving thousands of lives. Williams, former Vancouver goalie Kirk McLean and Cassie Campbell, a gold medallist with the Olympic women’s hockey team, met Sunday with Maj.-Gen. Andrew Leslie, the deputy commander of the International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF. Williams didn’t mince words as he revealed his personal thoughts about what the world needs to do in Afghanistan. "Any countries in the Western world that are not over here supporting this, they should absolutely be ashamed of themselves," he said after touring ISAF headquarters. "If they’re not at least contributing with some funding, I mean, they should get a kick in the ass." On Friday, NATO formally authorized the expansion beyond Kabul of its UN-mandated operation to protect Afghanistan’s government. A German provincial reconstruction team, already stationed in the northern city of Kunduz, comes under NATO’s command Dec. 31. As well, U.S. troops plan to set up bases to provide reconstruction aid in provinces plagued by Taliban attacks. Lt.-Gen. David Barno, the new U.S. commander in Afghanistan, said Saturday the move will make the troubled south and east safer for aid workers and open the way for Afghan elections next summer. However, no decisions on expanding Canada’s presence beyond the city are expected until early in 2004, likely after Prime Minister Paul Martin calls an election. Most soldiers avoid discussing politics but some do express personal opinions on the benefits of moving outside Kabul. "I can only speculate that it would improve things," said Master Cpl. Stephen Hopkins of Ottawa as he met Saturday with police officers in the city. "Elsewhere in the country, if you could have the same presence as we have (in Kabul), it couldn’t hurt. It could only make things better." |
| Posted by:TS |
| #3 Tiger's nuanced approach often left opponents spitting out teeth. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-12-21 8:03:27 PM |
| #2 Agreed Vic. When I read Tiger Williams was over there, I figured the Canucks had sent their Special Forces! Seriously though; this is why I love hockey players. A lot of them went to the Gulf in the first war to buck up the soldiers. You just don't see/read about that many professional athletes from other sports making the trip. |
| Posted by: JDB 2003-12-21 7:01:27 PM |
| #1 If they’re not at least contributing with some funding, I mean, they should get a kick in the ass." And in his day, Tiger Williams was just the guy to administer said kick in the ass. Tiger was the Leafs tough guy in the days of Sittler, Lanny, and Palmateer. -Vic |
| Posted by: Vic 2003-12-21 6:29:01 PM |