MacKay calls for more NATO help in Afghanistan

Defence Minister Peter MacKay said Thursday NATO allies who are reluctant to lend help in Afghanistan should think about what will happen if Canadian forces are not replaced when they are expected to pull out in 2009.

"We understand the caveats, we understand the constitutional limitations, we understand the political volatility, but NATO cannot fail. This is a no-fail mission," he told reporters in Washington.

MacKay met with his U.S. counterpart, Defence Secretary Robert Gates, for the first time since he took over the portfolio in the cabinet shuffle last month.

His visit caps a series of whirlwind meetings with officials from England, Norway and the Netherlands.

During a meeting in Amsterdam on Wednesday, MacKay said NATO must do more to help in the dangerous southern part of Afghanistan.

Unless Parliament agrees unanimously to extend the mission, Canadian soldiers will pull out of Afghanistan in February, 2009. Currently, no NATO allies have stepped forward to take their place.

"I still hold up a fair bit of hope and optimism that they will recognize that if the job is not done in Afghanistan, if countries like Canada leave, the Taliban can follow them," MacKay said.

"These threats are not going to stay isolated. We know that Afghanistan was an incubator and an exporter of terror."

The concern is shared by Barnett Rubin, director of studies at the Center on International Cooperation at New York University.

"It means that there would be a very serious deterioration of security in the heartland of the Taliban," he told CTV News. "It's quite possible that they will regain control of large swathes of territory in the south of Afghanistan."

International conference

Also Thursday, Liberal Leader Stephane Dion criticized the Conservative government's stance on Afghanistan, saying it was a mirror of the United States' policies.

Dion was attending a conference on Afghanistan held in Montreal this week.

"The United States is our ally but not our model. This is a distinction this Conservative government has never understood," he told reporters.

When asked, Dion said he would end the combat mission in February, 2009, but keep the troops there to help rebuild.

"To answer in detail your question is not possible for the leader of the Opposition, is not possible today because we need to do that in concentration with our allies," he told CTV Montreal.

Omar Samad, Afghanistan's ambassador to Canada, also spoke at the conference in Montreal, saying the country's role and its sacrifices are a "positive influence," and asked again for Canada to stay past 2009.

"History has shown us that all nations that have been post-conflict have had to go through many years of rebuilding and Afghanistan is no exception," Samad said.

Pentagon talks

The Afghanistan mission was the primary focus of MacKay's hour-long meeting at the Pentagon.

After the meeting, MacKay told some NATO countries are assisting by sending equipment and helping with training and reconstruction, but that's not enough.

"We know that we have to have greater capacity in the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, so there are specific niche roles that countries that are not prepared to necessarily to come to Kandahar and RC South (Regional Command South) to play that type of assistance," MacKay said.

"We need people that are prepared, by all means, to come to RC South, to share in the heavy lifting."

He'll be lobbying NATO members to become more active in dangerous southern Afghanistan at informal talks in the Netherlands next month.

Comments are now closed for this story

Tom Hawley
said

To ask the military to comment on the great accomplishments that are happening in Afghanistan is like asking a child if he or she wants an ice cream. What do you think they will say? They(military) are not to question what they are TOLD to do. People ask , how can you support our troops but not the war? Put it this way...I may have a son who wants to play hockey for a specific team.I may not like his decision but hope the team will be successful. So yes you can support the troops but not the war....

Brandon
said

I wonder how disheartening it must be for the people of Afghanistan to hear "it's not our war" or "pull out the troops now"?
It must be hard to construct an opinion motivated by some blinding hartred of George Bush and not by the men and women that have actually been there

CRAIG
said

Its funny that so many of you are so quick to condemn someone's opinion if its not the same as yours. Like one person said here, where was the mighty US of A , when there was mass killing in Rwanda, how about Darfur? You know why they were not or are not there, Let me tell you. Iraq number 1 export Oil Rwanda - Bananas. ...

Kevin
said

Lance nobody in Nato uses DU anymore!!

frank farrell
said

while the mission is providing good things in the lives of afghanis, let's not drink too much of the conservative kool-aid. While dismissing those against the mission, supporters must always evaluate the canadian committment, as it far outreachs most NATO countries. We cannot get caughtup in the blind patriotism of such missions without carefully examing the short and longterm benefits that are reached. If you want to call me unpatriotic or fearmonger then so be it. A true democratic nation is one that has a opposition that questions actions thereby reinforcing our values. I strongly support our troops but moreso support the right plan of action regardless of the negativity directed towards it.

Mark
said

Sending our troops to fight in Afganistan is the second worst decision Canada could have made. The worst would have been to stick our heads in the sand.

Marty
said

Dion is scared after the by-elections, he's grasping at straws. Yes Mackay is right in asking for more help in Afganistan... Is that not what the article is about, not why we are there in the first place... Lance, you should join old Jack in Kandahar to negotiate the peace with the Taliban, Good Luck!!!

John S.
said

The mission must continue beyond 2009. I want to say for those like Lance and those to spit on the troops and the mission: If you folks can't take a little bloody nose, you might as well crawl under your bed. The world is a dangerous place. It's not for the timmid.

And it seems to me Lance that you do not support the mission or the troops. And I question your patriotism at the same time.

The times of peacekeeping is over. This is the new reality and it's either we accept our role for what it is, or cut and run. Choose now.

Michael Le Couteur
said

It takes about two minutes to sit down and believe whatever is reported to you by the MSM or you can spend hours to months researching for yourself and come up with your own opinion. There is a myriad of items on pipelines, depleted uranium, re-establishment of the poppy,starvation,poverty. It goes on and on. I have made up my mind. I support my friends who are still in the military and want them home immediately.

andrew
said

If I recall correctly it was the Liberals who made the commitment to send troops. The conservatives are just respecting the commitment of a previous government made on behalf of its people. Afgan people deserve the same rights as any other citizen of the free world.

Louis
said

Canadians who want to fight this war have a democratic right to do what they want. However, I draw the line when development of our country is held back because of the rampant "conservative" war spending. There should be two tax catagories: If you register as being for the war, portions of your taxes will be spent on it... If you don't stand for this war, your taxes will be spent on education and infrasctructure growth as well as our lagging transportation system.

Kevin
said

I like this one nobody wants to go to the Sudan because there is no Oil. Wrong the Sudan is a member of OPEC.

Now I wish we could debunk myth number one, UN missions are good (GAG), UN missions suck. Just look at Rwanda and UNPRO for that. Peacekeeping is a sideline I am affraid. we train to fight wars, and currently are doing so.
Frank the 24 Canadians who were murdered on 9/11 good enough reason for me to go. Let us not mention the agreements we all signed as a NATO member that an attack on one is an attack on all. Plus all the BARBARIC acts of the Taliban and Al-Qeada.

Haseeb Afghani
said

NATO members are trying to deal with the symptoms and not the cause of Islamic resistence.

Unless NATO members refrain from interfering in the affairs of of he Islamic countries, especially in the mideast, they will continue to attract more enemies than friends.

Kevin
said

To Sherry:

I and the members of the Armed Forces are not atomatons and are quite able to form our own opinions.
If you were to ask almost any of us about any UN Blue hat missions you would find that they are almost all negative.
I am not trained or brainwashed to believe what I do. I believe it because I weighed the merits of it on my own!

Jason Toronto
said

I like to see what the people against our troops being in Afghanistan will say if in just over a year's time a Democrat returns to the white house! What excuse will you use then because you will be all Bushed out! Our current government takes a stand to help an impoverished brutalized country/people and people object are you kidding! Maybe if the media would do segments on the good work our soldiers have done and continue to do rather then just body counts maybe Canadians would understand it! Remember it was on Dion's liberals watch when DND brass came to them and said if we move our op to Kandahar we will take higher casualties. The libs had no problem back then when they approved the move. So Dion don't play politics with our soldiers lives and the well being of Afghanistan!!!!!
P.S. Lance you should consider yourself lucky you can make the comments you do. The Afgans couldn't but thanks to our troops they now can. That may mean didly to you but to an Afghan that and everything else that has improved means the world!!

Lance
said

Im the bad guy because I don't want to see our children get sick from depleted uranium poisoning?

Spreading peace down the barrel of a gun isn't a Canadian value.

None of you will challenge me on the fact of depleted uranium and opium-production tripling.

Don't shoot the messenger, shoot the message.

damien
said

Frank, where did you get the idea that the mission was purely "peacekeeping" under the liberlas anbd then Harper changed it to a "Combat " mission. I guess you have never heard of article 5 of the NATO charter, an attack on one is an attack on all, and we all will come to the defense of our allies. You are the same people that would have been agaist sending our troops in WW II because Canada had not been attacked. Wake up, there is evil in the world and you dont defeat evil by backing down or talking. You have to stand up for those who cant stand up for themselves, its called principlpe and we are taking a stand against the way the Taliban held that country in the dark ages. The world needs countries like ours with the resources and wioll to do the right thing. Hopefully Afghanistan is just the first stop. Who's next? bring them on.

Doug
said

Peter McKay is doing the right thing by pointing out that to few countries are willing to share the more dangerous part of the mission. And the current government is doing the right thing by providing our military with some equipment that might actually work.It should serve us well in future missions of all kinds.
I also think Canada has a role to play in this world. It's a shame that the issue has become so politicized here in Canada. I don't envy Mr. Harper or Mr.McKay their jobs. In their positions they actually have to make decisions. ...

Ian
said

There is no military solution for Afghanistan - as soon as that is realised by the folks that run this country movement can be made toward a REAL solution - it is possible to support the troops without being pro-war - BTW Canada is is Afghanistan because the US goaded the UN ( who they deemed useless ) into 'helping' them in Afghanistan - history is repeating right in front of those promoting war - support the troops NOT the war

Jim
said

If the CN tower or an Air Canada plane had been the target of terrorist attacks I'm sure people would think differently about the war on terror. Bin Laden wants to unleash on Pakistan now. The Dions and Laytons want us to just stick our head in the sand in fear and hope nothing happens here. Well folks, remember Air India? Terrorists win when terror prevails. We need to stop them in their school yard, Afghanistan.

Cody
said

Peter MacKay is doing his job and right now his job is to find help from other NATO countries. The war in Afghanistan is very real and anyone who thinks it is phony (Lance)has no respect for our troops or this country. Brave men and women are in Afghanistan proudly serving our country in a real war. Our troops are trying to give the Afghan people a life of which they so truly deserve. This issue is a divide in this country and many others, that is why it is so hard to find support from our allies. The support is needed for any kind of victory in Afghanistan and I believe our NATO friends will eventually realize that helping is the right thing to do. There will always be discontent on a issue such as this but that is alright because everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. But when your opinion is to disrespect our mission, troops and Canada in general it shouldn't be voiced until you have researched and know what you are talking about.

Bruce
said

Why the heck does everyone forget (including the Liberals) that it was the Liberals who sent our troops and commited us to Afganastan in the first place?

Frank
said

I agree with Lance because right now, Canada's foreign policy before Harper came into the power in 2006 is peacekeeping that means we are there to help by using our foreign aids such as medical supplies, providing education to these Afghan people, food supplies, water supplies, developing political stability for Afghan government. That is our foreign policy in peackeeping that will promote the growth for Afghan for their better future. We need that more focused mission on peacekeeping than combat mission!

Let American troops use the combat mission against the terrorist groups because it was attacked on September 11, 2001 in U.S. soil. Not in Canada's soil.

I am afraid that if we are getting close to American foreign policy including combat mission, which I am opposed to this because it would threat our national security, means that we would be attacked in our soil in the future if that happens. I pray God that won't happens!

Let Canadian troops to withdraw the combat mission and use our peackeeping mission to help Afghan people. I will support to allow Canadian troops to use the peacekeeping mission!

Look at this, the number of foreign aid hav been decreased by the current federal budget because Harper cuts the money by using tax cut. Wise? Think about it!

Josh
said

Whoever Lance is, he has clearly never stood up for a value he believes in, like over 2300 Canadian Soldiers are doing right now (the majority right now even being from Quebec) As a Soldier who has served in Afghanistan, and lost friends to the Taliban, I think he needs to check his comments a bit more. This war is no more phoney than any other war our country has fought in. No more phoney than any war our soldiers have died in. Lance needs a reality check. Lets remember that the LIBERALS were the ones who authorized this mission in the first place. It appears you need a conservative government to see it through though. Like most other things, on this subject the LIBERALS were a whole lot of hot air, but not much substance. Not afraid to talk the talk and look tough in the beggining, but looking for the back door to run away at the first sign of trouble. I invite Lance and anyone that thinks like him to follow the liberals right out that back door, and let people who believe in something actually run this country. Let Canadian Soldiers do the job they were trained to do, and make Canada a shining example on the world stage of what it actually means to stand up for your values, not talk tough and back down when the going gets tough!

Gary
said

Wonder why no one cared about the millions who died in Rwanda or what is currently happening in Darfur/Sudan but they leap onto the oil field country's internal atrocities like in Afghansistan/ Iraq etc..Shame on the US and Canada for being self centered and not truly interested in the well being of Afghanistanis ...the ' true' mission will never fully be disclosed to the public..the american people are figuring it out...when are we ?

Ian
said

Guys like Lance are really starting to tick me off with their attitude. Nobody likes war but it's a reality of mankind since the beginning of time. There are always those who only can be defeated by force and no amount of negotiating will accomplish anything. If you TRULY believe that this war is all about an oil pipeline, then I really feel sorry for you because you must be one very cynical, miserable and mean spirited person. Lance if you want to complain about senseless deaths, there are many causes you can hitch your wagon to. What about the more than 600, yes 600, people in Ontario who die in traffic accidents EVERY YEAR. That's a shame as well, but nobody ever says boo about that do they.

Con Fighter
said

Cam, just for the record, the US unilaterally bombed Afghanistan before it had any approval from the UN. The UN approved a rebuilding mission not indesciminate masacres of Taliban and civilians. It is an undeniable fact that the construction of the pipeline through that country is of pinnacle importance to the US and the Cons here, the human rights issue a mask.

Seriously, if human rights was so important the US and Canada would have a lot of work back home. ie. some US cities one can not even walk around at night for fear of violence and need I even mention the attrocities that the Canadian government is continuing here? This is what the west has to offer? This is all about oil - nothing else. Gald to see Dion getting a bit of a backbone finally.

James
said

I've had two family members serve overseas in the afghan theatre, and they are both a part of the reason I've put off my post-secondary in order to enlist and do my part in the defense of the nation. So yes, after talking to people that have been there, the war is just, and I'll be glad to do my part.

*BTW*
To those that say they should send their family overseas, the foreign minister is a relative, so I'm sure he does understand the gravity of sending family members overseas.

Thomas Chan
said

We have more casualties because we have to involve in combat operations. Why can't other NATO members have a share of this load? We have to combat, support training Afghan soldiers, build roads and bridges,..... We have done quite a bit, it's time for others to involve more.

Rod
said

Lance, Tom & MGB do your homework! It was not Bush, the Liberals or the Conservatives that started this war. It was the Taliban terrorists (trained in Afganistan and else where)who flew planes into the WTC and killed thousands including 24 Canadians.

Yes it ticks me off when on the ABCDs (Americans, British, Canadians and Dutch) are doing the majority of fighting. It is curious how the Germans are acting now that the Russians aren't as big a threat. They have very short memories about helping out other NATO countries. Don't even bother with the all talking do nothing France!

Lets finish this mission and then you won't have to rely on France or Germany to protect the world from more terrorist acts.

Say No to the Con Regime
said

To think that this war is justifiable is pure nonesense. The threat to the west from terrorists is a direct result of US Imperialism. Canada should only be in Afghanistan for re-building only, not to perpetuate destructive and oppressive foreign policies of the US.

MacKay, and the rest of the Cons have it wrong. Canada must not be used to mop up the mistakes of insanity from the White House. I support the troops and fully believe that they should not be dying for the US War of Terror as it is becoming difficult to distinguish between western and foreign brands terrorism.

Lance
said

2 words: DEPLETED URANIUM

google it

Jeff S.
said

Lance, you need to stop reading the left-wing conspiracy "educational" sources you use to forumulate your opinions. I've heard the same pipeline crap from others and it just doesn't hold any weight.

It's ridiculous to think that 911 was orchestrated by the West to secure oil and to build pipelines to transport that oil. Give your heads a shake!

Huss
said

Lance, Your comment is very straight lined. Do some research before you claim were in Afghan for oil and what not. The soldiers in the Canadian forces WANT to go to Afghanistan to help. I, a Canadian Reservist, would love to go help fight the Taliban insurgency. Before you say quotes such as "If he wants more help why doesn't he go himself? Why must he send our children to fight a phoney war". He may be sending us but we want to go and help Afghanistan. We want to spread Canadian values, those of peace.

DWRVB
said

Ok I myself have been twice on tour to Afghanistan with the Canadian military. The first time in 2003 then on my return back to Afghanistan in 2005, I noticed a remarkable change in the people and their way of life. What was changed was the children were acting like children, instead of searching for wood to heat their home they were playing.
So Lance what we are doing over there is a good thing and the war is just. Maybe you should go over there and look for yourself and stop talking about others to do something you're not willing to do.

Shane
said

Great comment Lance. Peter MacKay has already been there. More than I can say about our opposition who sit in their comfy homes and sleep peacefully at night, while others stand ready to protect them. I respect your right to your own opinion and your right to share it. All of those rights and freedoms you take for granted came at a very high cost. Maybe someday other people who are living in oppressed nations will be able have the right to have that which you take for granted. As long as we hide our heads in the sand and wish for bad things to go away, they will continue to happen. What have you done the world a better place? besides turn the channel?

Cam
said

Tom, Lance, Rodger

The war was sanctioned by the U.N. Are you implying that any U.N. sanctioned involvemnt is phony? Listen to Blair, someone who has first hand knowledge. Someone who keeps us strong snd free. Thanks Blair.

GG
said

I agree with Tom...Lets rewind the tape shall we. The reason we and NATO are in Afghanistan is that the USA vacated it and asked NATO to take over while they made a stupid foray into IRAQ. Even the American people have seen the true 'reality' of that mission. The reason the USA and justly so went to Afganistan was to find bin Laden. Seems to me they spent billions of taxpayer dollars and American blood on a stupid mission and should have focused on bin Laden not oil. To rewind the tape even further..the reason Al-Qaeda terrorized the USA on 9/11 is about the US foreign policy which Canada is dangerously following these days under Harpers regime. The US should leave Iraq and finish their business in Afghanistan..I am sure Canada would help in the re-development and diplomacy desperately needed in Afghanistan to allow their people to self- govern and live in peace and civility.

Rick Overwater
said

Lance: This is not Iraq. Yes, Bush is a tool and yes he made a big mess of things but Canadians who turtle on this subject because of issues with the U.S. shame us all. Yes, the war on terror in Iraq was trumped up after the fact, but not in Afghanistan. Al Qaeda WAS allowed to attack innoccent civilians from there and I've seen footage of women being hung from soccer stadium goalposts for "religious violations" with my own eyes. Funny. You would never argue against our forces quelling violent racism, hatred and fatal misogyny here -- how can you tolerate it over there? I love that we're peaceful and "liberal" here but let's not be the next country to enter Afghanistan, bomb it, and leave before they're on their feet. Thats kinda how this mess got rolling. Sure, NATO should help more but someone's gotta stick it out. I've met some soldiers who served there. You'll notice their take on what they're doing is generally more positive than the American kids fighting in Iraq --for good reason.

Graeme
said

Lance, if you really think it is all phony and for oil (there isn't oil in Afghanistan), why don't you head over yourself and see how much good has come from the mission. Are you forgetting that the Taliban are the same people who use kids and women as human shields, publicly execute a woman for being raped or being seen outside. Tell me this... anyone.. how is Afghanistan supposed to be rebuilt when the Taliban destroy and terrorize the construction? The Taliban need to be dealt with.. and negotiating with them isn't an option. Why isn't it an option-- well, they are the same people who, read the crimes I mentioned earlier in this post.

Ian
said

Here's a news flash Lance. The days of "there's no life like it" are gone for the Canadian Military. Our peacekeeping blue beret days are over for now. Enrolment numbers are up, it seems, since the mission in Afghanistan began, so how do you explain that. We don't have conscription in Canada so nobody's putting a gun to anyone's head. We should all be proud of the sacrifices that our military men and women are making in the name of freedom. Just like the pride we feel for the veterans who made those same sacrifices so many years ago. If you don't like the reality of the times we live in then I suggest you watch some re-run footage of the twin towers crumbling to the ground to find a little perspective.

Justin
said

Lance: maybe you should continue that research. That pipeline that was planned through Afghanistan is now going through the Caspian Sea instead. The Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline is dead.

Ian
said

Sounds like a never ending war. How can the fight be won by either side?

OMER
said

I agree with Mr. Peter MacKay. Terrorism is a growing threat, and it's not going to stay isolated as many like to think. The fact is that we are all in danger and anything can happen at ANYTIME. We need to do more in this fight against terrorism. NATO MUST DO MORE.

Kevin
said

To Bad Tom we are not cleaning up after them.
We are cleaning up with them.
BTW the way Lance Mr. MacKay has gone to Afghanistan and people like you ridiculed him for wearing body armor.

For the first time in 22 years I feel that I have the political backing to do my job. I would remind you all it was the Liberals that sent us there.

Mike Haran
said

Its about time someone pointed out the fact that only Canada, the US, Britain, and Holland are stationed in RC south. The Poles are too, but only in a minor capacity contributing 1,000 or so troops. They are concerned that if they want help from NATO regarding any Russian aggressive moves they had better contribute in Afghanistan. Must we wait until others feel threatened before they also contribute.

A
said

Hey Lance do us all a favour and post only comments that you have researched about. Canadians are doing a great job in Afghanistan and it's just sad to see that our ALLIES arn't doing their part. This really shows how great our soldiers are and they are capable of any mission. And I say if the soldiers think they're there for a reason, then who are we to say otherwise.

sherry
said

Yes, this may be a real war, but is it not more of a clean up mission than anything? Perhaps if our Conservative government wasn't so concerned about being buddy buddy with a crazy man, our soldiers wouldn't be dying. Soldiers are trained to obey their commanding officers no questions asked, so why would they question this. Of course if you ask anyone in the military they are going to say they support this mission, they are trained to!! The unfortunate part of this war is that the US abandoned the Afghan people for a revenge/oil war. Canada has every right to demand more NATO involvement. The UN did nothing to stop the USA from invading Iraq and now because of that there are 3 countries left to pick up where they bombed and ran.

Michelle
said

I don't agree with the war either but I do support and pray for our noble troops over there.
MacKay is right, more NATO countries do need to do their share and go to the dangerous areas over there.
There is no need for some people on here to be so rude. We live in a free democracy and everyone is entitled to their opinion whether we agree with it or not!

Lance
said

I've done more than enough research to know that this war is phony. This war will be over once that giant oil pipeline is finished being built right across the country. By the way, hasn't opium production tripled since the invasion?

MGB
said

Lance...I totally agree with you!

Why the need to send our young men to get killed for a senseless war.

Roger T
said

Here's a suggestion. Before the Gov't parties who support sending more taxpayers' $$$ to fund war, why don't you go on National TV and ask your friends and FAMILY members to enroll and show their commitment first before sacrificing ordinary Canadian lives. Go public with your plea and show us Canadians that your own FAMILY members are willing to fight, this might encourage us to agree with the decisions on sending more troops!

Tom
said

MacKay sounds like a version of George Bush with his endless fear mongering. God I get tired of that. If it wasn't for George and his insane foreign policy issues we wouldn't be over there at all cleaning up after George.

Kevin
said

Yes but according to Mr. Dion this is just too American. Well Mr. Dion wants us to go back to some insignifcant little nobody country that everyone scoffed at, when it comes to our foreign policy, too afraid to make a stand against what may be some evil little man, for fear of offending them.
Well Mr. Dion I am a Canadian soldier and I would like to deploy to Afghganistan so that we may help those people. Whether it is to build a school or hospital. or to provide them some security from people who would kill us for our western Liberal values.
am going to remind you all that Mr. Dion was in cabinet when we were deployed and he never protested.

Blair
said

As someone who just returned from Afghanistan I can tell you that there is nothing phony about this war. It is being fought by real people who believe passionately in what it means to serve their country for a just cause so that people have the freedom to make misinformed comments such as those spoken by Lance.

More babies are being born healthy, more children are going to school, more women are getting medical care and more business are operating. The people of Afghanistan are starting to turn things around with the help of Canada and it's NATO partners and misinformed comments to the contrary only help our enemies grow stronger.

If you really want to make such reckless comments Lance I suggest that YOU pick up a rifle and stand a post in Afghanistan or patrol a street before you can speak authoritatively on the subject. We should be proud of our troops and proud of what they are doing for Canada, the people of Afghanistan and the world.

Jon
said

Hey Lance do some research before you make wild uneducated accusations, are you NDP by chance? Ask a soldier what they think about things over there, I'd trust their educated opinion over anyone else's including yours or a Conservative or Liberal.

The soldiers say they are making a difference so I'll take their word for it.

BTW Afghanistan is sanctioned by the UN, gee it must be a fake mission eh? I suppose you think there is oil there too eh?

Ryan
said

Seeing this is a NATO mission, there needs to be more NATO troops other than the US, UK, Canada, and the Netherlands. The last time I checked, NATO contained over 20 members. Four nations should not have the vast majority of combat forces in Afghanistan when NATO is such a large organization. If the rest of NATO cannot support the mission, they should have never voted to authorize it.

Jason
said

With all due respect Lance your claim that it is a phony war is mistaken. It is a just war and McKay is absolutely right in asking for our allies to help shoulder the burden more. Unfortunately the vast majority of NATO country citizens remain (wilfully) ignorant and so the political support needed isn't there. Politicians are politicians and wish to remain in power; this is a classic example of an ignorant, vocal public having a negative effect on foreign policy and domestic well being.

Lance
said

If he wants more help, why doesn't he just go himself? Why must he send our children off to fight a phoney war? Pack your stuff and grab the first flight out, and when you're there....Don't forget to keep your head down!!!!

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