Canadian Tories in Progressive Canadian Party criticize Prime Minister Stephen Harper over Afghanistan

Disinformation undermines credibility

Edited by Joe Hueglin

Truro, NS - Truth on Afghanistan is absolutely necessary. The lives of thousands of Canadians are at risk and 57 have lost their lives. Many more have been injured.

Attitudes among the general Afghan population toward all foreigners are turning negative due to increasing numbers of incidents in which civilians are killed. In mid-June 2007, seven Afghan police died under "friendly fire".in a province far from the southern provinces where we are led to believe action is heading off insurgent operations.

None of this is new information. Last November a the International Assessment Staff of the Privy Council Office stated that "The Taliban resurgence has been dramatic," It was a "blunt analysis of the situation is in stark contrast with other Afghan-related documents released at the same time by the PCO and which consist of upbeat "messages and storylines" about how well things were going in Afghanistan and how there were "signs of progress, unthinkable only a few years ago."

While all this is going on, what are Canadians getting? Instead of giving us the facts the military is embarking on a massive public relations campaign aimed at shoring up support in Quebec. This is done with the total support of the Harper government, which is focused on still bolstering public support for the mission rather than reflecting reality.

Putting aside the issue of whether or not it is the place of the military to interfere in politics, the Harper government's sales pitch for war is itself a problem. Under this government, our forces have been quietly transformed from peacekeeping to active combat.

Uninformed of reality in the Afghan mission, Canadians have had no part in discussing what the future roles of Canadian forces will be. The purchase of battle tanks and helicopters deliverable in the future show the Canadian Forces being dedicated to continued engagement in active warfare over the long term.

The view of the Progressive Canadian Party is this change in direction should not be made unilaterally by the Government of Canada without proper debate. The full range of options need to be presented to Canadians for discussion. Active warfare is only one option for our military policy. Other options include a return to peacekeeping, or increasing our ability to deliver humanitarian assistance rapidly when needed. Or our military's role could be in such areas as assuring Canada's claim to the Northwest passage or updating search and rescue capabilities.

Such a national debate is impossible without accurate information. Such is most unlikely to occur under the present Mr. Stephen Harper led government based on its track record Operating with a minority government it has committed Canada to the purchases of weaponry useful only in battlefield situations such as Afghanistan while not informing us of the information it has received about deteriorating conditions.

The St. John's Telegram's warning with regard to the Atlantic Accord is applicable to where the military is going as well, "Just imagine the situation a majority might bring."

The Progressive Canadian (PC) Party is a registered Federal Political Party comprised of progressive-conservative minded Tories who are rebuilding from the roots of the former Progressive Conservative Party.

Become a member of The Canadian, with your donation pledge.