Prime Minister Continues to Play Politics With Afghan Mission

Edited by John Stokes

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper is disregarding the will of Parliament and Canadians by unilaterally declaring that Canada's combat role in Afghanistan will not end in February 2009, Liberal Defence Critic Denis Coderre said on 24 May 2007.

"While Parliament voted to accept a limited two-year extension of our combat contribution in Kandahar until February 2009, the Prime Minister continues to behave as though he has a mandate for an indefinite commitment," said Mr. Coderre.

"There's no question the human sacrifice our troops have made to try to improve the lives of Afghans is heroic and noteworthy. Liberals and Canadians proudly support their efforts, and believe that humanitarian work must continue. But it's time for this government to send a clear message that our combat role in Kandahar will end, so that we can begin to work with NATO to prepare for our replacement."

Mr. Coderre was responding to statements the Prime Minister made yesterday while touring Afghanistan, where he told our troops that they will not be going home until their work is "complete."

Media reports also stated that military personnel in Afghanistan are making plans to stay beyond the current February 2009 deadline.

"The Prime Minister seems to be clinging to a fantasy of a clear-cut military victory, when the rest of the world recognizes that many other factors beyond Canadian and even NATO control will determine Afghanistan's fate," said Mr. Coderre.

"It's irresponsible and even negligent for our Prime Minister to push his no- compromise ideology on our troops and on Canadians. He is asking our military for an indefinite commitment, to achieve a goal that cannot be achieved through military means alone - that is, win the war on terror in Afghanistan.

"Mr. Harper must respect the wishes of Parliament and of Canadians and work towards concluding our combat mission on schedule in 2009, while increasing resources for diplomacy and development," he concluded.

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