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Harper to put gov't on the line over Afghan mission
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Robert Fife, CTV Ottawa Bureau Chief
Date: Tue. Feb. 5 2008 11:48 PM ET
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper has warned Liberal Leader Stephane Dion that the Conservative government is prepared to go to the electorate as early as next week to seek a mandate to extend the military mission in Afghanistan, CTV News has learned.
Harper met Dion for 25 minutes in his Centre Block office on Tuesday to discuss the Manley panel recommendations on Afghanistan.
The report calls for Canada to extend the military deployment past 2009 if NATO nations provide another 1,000 combat troops and more equipment.
Sources say Harper told the Liberal leader the government will give notice on Thursday to present a confidence motion on extending the military mission in Afghanistan. That motion could be debated and possibly voted on as early as next week.
The government could fall if the Liberals do not support it, since the NDP and Bloc Quebecois are against Canada's extension of the NATO mission.
The Liberal party is deeply divided over the issue, with many members siding with former Liberal deputy prime minister John Manley and others supporting Dion, who wants all combat operations to end after 2009.
Ahead of the meeting, Dion told reporters he wouldn't budge on his position. He said he would ask the prime minister whether he's willing to discuss a different role for Canada in Afghanistan past 2009.
Tuesday's meeting comes a day after the Harper discussed the mission with New Democrat Leader Jack Layton.
Layton is calling for Canada's role in Afghanistan to end by the current February 2009 deadline, with the mission then dismantled and reinvented as a United Nations project.
On Monday, he called the current mission a "dead end" with no hope in sight for a successful outcome.
With Liberal support on the issue, Harper's Conservatives could push through the government motion to adopt the Manley report's recommendations.
Dion has made it clear he will be pushing for a united caucus on the issue, and Liberal MPs will be expected to toe the party line when they vote.
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I applaud the budget, even though Health Care and education may stay unscathed. Sadly this cannot last and I worry to later this year where cuts will become enviable. If anything, this provides the Wildrose Alliance plenty of ammo when an election is called.
Comments are now closed for this story
Jack
said
And so it should be.
The Prime Minister is right to make this a confidence motion.
You cannot run a country with 3 jokers in a deck of cards,Layton,Dion and the seperatist.
They are obstructionists for their own political advantage and could care less of Canada's commitments abroad.
Mike R.
said
The question here is between doing what is right and what is easy. To me leaving is easy, to turn your back is easy, to ignore the plight of innocent people is easy.
You cannot rebuild a society while you are getting shot at. We need troops on the ground to continue with rebuilding.
Dean (retired Afghan Vet)
said
In October 2003, the UN Security Council authorized the expansion of the ISAF mission throughout Afghanistan, and ISAF subsequently expanded the mission in four main stages over the whole of the country. ISAF is mandated by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions S/RES/1386, S/RES/1413, S/RES/1444, S/RES/1510, S/RES/1563, S/RES/1623, S/RES/1659, S/RES/1707, and S/RES/1776(2007).
Chris - a guy who realizes that freedom isn't free
said
Under the Taliban regime, women were treated as animals, children weren't going to school, and soccer stadiums were being used for public executions. I've had enough of all this dissent about the war! We're fighting for the very things we take for granted over here in Canada! Equality of the sexes! Freedom of speech! Freedom of religion! PEACE! We're not there yet, actually we're nowhere near that yet in Afghanistan, but we're inching closer. The thing that stands in the way of Afghans having peace and propersity is the evil Taliban regime, whose aim is the support and harbour terrorist camps and once again rule Afghanistan like it was the Dark Ages all over again.
Our men and women over there are fighting for the right thing. Go inform yourselves before you all make a decision regarding this war. You read a book or something! WAKE UP PEOPLE! This war has nothing to do with the USA. This was launched as a UN-sponsored mission.
A. Watt
said
Greg C
said
Tim P
said
Bill R
said
mac
said
Harper playing politics again, as usual.
Matt
said
The mission will continue, and Dion will try to spin it to be a bit more appealing to the Canadian people.
I hope when people see the good work being done, they will support it.
A Cdn Infantry Soldier
said
Layton doesn't know anything about the situation over there. The UN won't do anything, they're useless.
Craig
said
Bob
said
Disgusting.
MRM
said
larry
said
We'll see if Dion has any backbone, or if he does the usual liberal thing and just responds to the 'thoughtless left' and political gain.
TJP
said
James
said
For the record, I support the Afgan mission and the orginal intent of NATO. What I don't support is the cowards we have in Europe these days.
Military Mom
said
Sean Calder
said
IF they aren't willing to put their money where their mouths are when they act on the Security Council, maybe they should vacate their spots and let a country like CANADA fill one of those spots. Obviously we have the heart to do what we ask others to.
Vet
said
I'm with you brother! With 12 months under my belt in the Gan, I've seen too many troops from Europe & elsewhere spend their tour shopping the markets, drive an armoured packet through Kabul, or never leave the wire at KAF.
Gren
said
Build roads (taliban destroys them and kills any workers trying to rebuild them)
Build Schools (taliban destroys them and kills any workers trying to rebuild them)
Build Hospitals (taliban destroys them and kills any workers trying to rebuild them)
Build the rule of law (taliban attacks those trying to establish the rule of law them and kills them)
I think it is time the media begins to focus on all of the effort Canadian forces and agencies are putting forth especially the rebuilding and humanitarian efforts.
How about some interviews of soldiers and their experience with the Afghany people.
Show Canadians that we ARE making a positive difference!
FreakAlert
said
C'mon folks, wake up!!
Jules Frost
said
Also, I think its only right that other countries do send in more of their own combat troops.
From a political stand point I agree with neither side but more in that gray area of "should extend it but within reason". No one can really tell me that we are not just followers or supporters but I think its important to look at the history of our support in order to determine our future in Afghanistan.
Then again, its just an opinion and the gov't is supposed to answer to the people right? How many of us have questioned or prodded them about what we think or feel about this whole mission? Consultations...are those unheard of? All these reports but how about what those troops over there think? They not just troops..each one does have a life and pride in doing what they do. *sigh* Big picture people...
Harv Friesen
said
We are very lucky that we even have a web site that we can voice our opinion.If we didn't have soldiers out there in the trenches fighting for us to have that right,we would be in a pile of doodoo.Imagine if the Taliban ruled our country,we wouldn't be able to write this.Think about it!
David_K
said
ET
said
Truthful Joe
said
Allan Eizinas
said
There is a potential here for compromise and extracting us from that human meat grinder in Afghanistan but unfortunately it will not happen.
We do not have the leadership, statesmanship, open lines of communication and common goals in Ottawa at this time.
J6
said
It's nice that we have the NDP in the house to present an alternative opinion on this war. Even if you don't agree the point of opposition is to oppose and present other ideas, not to abstain (respectively NDP vs. Liberal). We're lucky here to have a 3rd party, in the US both of their parties (much like our Grits/Tories) sent their troops to Iraq. Maybe if they had a social democratic party there the voices against the war would have had someone speaking up for their cause.
How are the Liberals different than the Tories again?
Proud of our troops
said
Pulling out combat troops while trying to improve development is a recipe for disaster.
Dion would have us go down this road. Who is going to protect the aid workers? Not the Liberals I bet.
Layton would have us pull all our troops out now and negotiate a peace settlement. Negotiate with who, Bin Laden?
We must remember why we are there in the first place. Its' not to conquer or occupy Afghanistan. We are there because on Sept. 11, 2001 an act of war was commited against the United States by el quaida and supported by the taliban in Afghanistan. 3,000 innocent people including 24 Canadians were killed and the Taliban refused to give up bin laden and his terrorist thugs.
According to the NATO charter Article 5 an attack against one member is to be considered an attack on all.
We cannot give up this fight until Afghanistan is secure once and for all to prevent a resurgence of the taliban and a safe haven for al Qaeda.
Paul R
said
I would like to add that NATO and the United Nations are nothing more but the sum of their parts. If you want to dole out blame on this, than look to those countries who are reluctant to send combat troops.
If it's any consolation, I live in Germany and the fact that countries like Canada are shouldering more than their fair share (while Germany builds schools for girls that will only be demolished when the Taliban regain control of the country) is heavily reported on in the German national media.
Military Mom
said
Diplomacy is the answer
said
Call a truce, get the Taliban at the bargaining table, and let the various players who live there figure it out. Yes, it will probably be an arduous process. But keep in mind - the Afghan regime that we're fighting to prop up has hardline, extreme Islamic values that aren't far off from what the Taliban upholds, so I don't see why they couldn't come to some form of agreement to keep the peace. It may only be a temporary peace, but historically that's Afghanistan for you.
Karzai even said this is what is necessary. Why not give that a try instead of sending armies in to shoot at people? All this is going do is continue to perpetuate an endless cycle. Every person killed by the military, be it Taliban, collateral damage civilian, terrorist, or mistaken-for-a-terrorist, it doesn't matter... every person who is killed by foreign armies over there will have families and friends who will then have a very serious grievance, and because of that there's a chance you might then get a reprisal attack, either there in Afghanistan, or in a much, much smaller chance, maybe (and I mean remotely maybe) here. We, the USA, and everyone else sending their armies in to Afghanistan are creating a culture of terrorism and armed reprisal by our military actions, not suppressing it. There has to be a better way than this.
Rebecca
said
If it was a mistake to go, it's a mistake to stay.
Helen Webster
said
Myron Walker
said
Eric & his gog
said
R
said
John
said
Afghan is ranked one of the worst countries in the world and if we brought them up from that sub-stanard way of life, I think that is something we could be proud of and something they would appreciate. We have the technology and experience to fix there suffering agricultural industry, we just need the "peace" to start.
A Soldiers Dad
said
Continuing the West's War of Terror
said
Canada, under Martin, deployed a rebuilding mission. Harper embraced the US led NATO attacks of agression, including indiscrimate killing of countless civilians. This is about protection of the pipeline being contructed through this country. With Canada taking over what US troops would normanlly be doing, US troops can protect their precious pipelines.
Really, if Canada was so concerned about human rights, why does it continue to ignore the ongoing violations against Aboriginal peoples? Save the rhetoric and hypocrisy for your out of touch right wing friends.
Canada must leave Afghanistan as we are doing nothing more than clean up operations for US agression and failed foreign policy. Make no mistake, NATO is run by the US. People who pretend it is not are just furthering the lies of the West's war of terror.
The hate for the west was created by the west with their bombasity and hypocrisy in preaching democracies which are run by corporations, not the people.
David from NS
said
I'm glad that France is going to assist in Chad, but they aren't the only ones.
Paul in BC
said
Bill R
said
West Asia and Europe is the market for the Afghan Opium. We need to ask Europe and Russia to invest their share to stop opium trade with Afghan redevelopment. Canada can stop the Taliban, What is wrong with military support? Especially in a fight to remove feudalism one country at a time.
Edward
said
A.J.
said
Our JOB is to support our SOLDIERS not the WAR….
Our soldiers and their families sacrifice for us every day; the decision to stay or come home should be up to them.
I believe that we have lost more than enough brave soldiers and more than our share of families have been affected by our presence in Afghanistan but, if the soldiers decided to stay and continue to fight, protect, and honor our fallen soldiers I would respect that decision and support them 100% percent.
Scott
said
Marco Perez
said
Steven
said
We have to stay and let our great troops show the world that Canada cares.
As for France, their politicians are
"bahhing" like sheep in 2008 just as their troops did during Verdun in 1916.
GM
said
Ret. Gen. L. MacKenzie said "I am tired of politicians playing politics on the backs of the soldiers."
My hope is that the PM and Mr. Dion can sit down, take a hard look at the Manley Report and come out with a bi-partisan plan that respects our best interests long-term and not necessarily what will win the most political points in the short term.
Jack
said
Dion and Layton are irrelevant.
The Prime Minister has the recomendations from the Manley report and thus should use them.
Dion, Layton and the seperatists follow or get out of the way.
They are an embarassment to this country and to our troops whom are doing their part and more in a UN mandated mission.
Sean - Afghan Vet
said
The mission in Afghanistan IS a UN mission, mandated and sanctioned by multiple UN resolutions.
It borders on insanity (or, more likely, indicative of a deliberate lie) to suggest that we can remain active in the Afghan theatre - in any capacity - and avoid "combat". The CDS has made this quite clear and he is perfectly correct.
Justin
said
We were ASKED by the government of Afghanistan to enter their country and provide peace and stability to their country and their people.
You can't have diplomacy in a country were people blow them selves up to combat the ones trying to do some good.
I know a soldier who has been to Afghanistan and to know about all the good things us Canadians have done for the Afghan people, gives you a warm feeling.
To know they have built schools, hospitals, given freedom to oppressed people.
We need to stay in Afghanistan and help another struggling county.
Tim McDermott
said
To those who would turn their back, and walk away from the people of Afghanistan, I say shame on you.
To politicians such as Taliban Jack, and Stephane Dion who put doing what is politically popular in front of doing what is right, I say shame on you.
To those who say... it's not our fight and it does not concern us, I say shame on you.
This is Canada's war. We are fighting for what we believe in, on behalf of a people who cannot fight forthemselves. It doesn't get any more "Canadian" then that. This war will not be won by bullets and bombs alone. it is again, a uniquely Canadian core value that we understand that it's not enough to vanquish our enemies. Our strength as a people, is our compassion, our empathy for those who are less fortunate, and our willingness to do everything in ourt power to destroy evil and protect the innocent. Our soldiers get that... How come so many of you cannot?
Paul
said
Socialism is killing us
said
Paul in MB
said
My personal belief is that the current mission and "war" in Afghanistan is one of the purer uses of the tool one could imagine...
We as a nation have no imperial aims in Afghanistan, have no mineral exploitation aspirations, nor are we doing anything with a sense of revenge.
We are there at the request of the Afghanistan government, sanctioned by the United Nations, with the aim of securing and stabilising their land while they develop the infrastructure needed to govern themselves peacefully.
I can think of an evil far worse than the perceived evil of war... Not having the courage to stand for what you know to be just and true, that is evil.
Doug
said
This is more than some domestic political spat.It needs to be treated accordingly,and should not be used for political advantage in an election.
I can see areas where these two parties could find common ground, and still leave options open for our future involvement. My hope is they can BOTH explore ALL the options.
All Canadians that are in Afghanistan deserve our support.It is not acceptable to use this issue as a political football.
We need better from ALL parties in both houses.Liberals and Conservatives have both supported this mission at one time.The "devil is in the details",I know.But serious and non partisan discussion should satisfy the concerns of both parties.
And finally,I think ALL parties should put away the "whips" when this issue comes to a vote in Parliament.
A Cdn Soldier
said
Harper knows everything about the situation over there and like Bush and Cheney uses it for his own political ambitions.NATO is a cold war relic who's time has passed and should be disbanded.
G.R. Williams
said
We no longer have that luxury in a world of instant communication and fast global travel.
Canada is a small country in population terms and we are carrying too many losses compared with our more populous allies.
This must continue as a combined combat/reconstruction mission, but only with more front-line help.
JDS
said
It doesn't matter what Layton or Harper say; it matters what position will guarantee Dion's continued leadership.
And well said FreakAlert!! No bin Laden, record opium production, continued oppression of women and Christians. Its about time we opened our eyes.
D.R. - Calgary
said
David Dunlop
said
yet another Cdn Soldier
said