Governor General Adrienne Clarkson praised Canadian troops "past and present" in her New Year's message after ringing in the new year with them on Camp Julien in Kabul.

She reminisced on the sacrifices of veterans whom she met in Italy and France during 2004's Second World War commemorations.

"Such sacrifices permit us to do good in the world as our forces are doing here in Afghanistan," she said, "That is why it is so important to try to bring a bit of Canada to the 900 members of Operation ATHENA."

She added, "I can see they are making a real difference, not only building peace but promoting development and helping with the free election for the Afghan people," she said.

Clarkson and her husband John Ralston Saul have visited Canadian troops abroad in locales such as Kosovo, Bosnia and the Arabian Gulf.

Clarkson's travelling plans were kept under wraps for security reasons.

It is her custom as Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces to visit with troops during the holidays.

After a recent trip to visit Canadian troops at Camp Julien, military ombudsman Andre Marin said most are overworked.

Mental health nurse Capt. Brian Harvey says those working conditions make it difficult for troops to get into the holiday spirit, particularly because they are away from home.

"Quite frankly, it's hard to get into the Christmas mood. It's hard to get in the Christmas mood in Canada if you're busy, but it can be really hard here at times," he said recently.

The Governor General has come under fire in the past for her spending habits, particularly for her travelling expenditures.

Clarkson announced that she would be cutting several programs and initiatives in her office in December after budget restrictions imposed by Parliament.

Parliament trimmed her budget by 10 per cent for the final quarter of the fiscal year 2004-2005 upon recommendations from a government committee.