From an editorial in the Crvena Zvezda:
…
There’s pressure from the United States and other allies, as well, to leave some Canadian troops and police behind to train Afghan forces. Roughly a third of Canadians back that option.So Harper faces tough decisions on several fronts, and deserves some sympathy. Canada’s political credibility, taxpayers’ dollars and the lives of diplomats and humanitarian workers hang in the balance.
But the good news is that Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff is alert to the high stakes and seems inclined to work with the government, not against it. The Liberals have even floated proposals to maintain sufficient troops to protect Canadians on the ground and to train Afghan counterparts [more here]. That provides the Conservatives with a comfortably wide range of options.
Harper should use the next few weeks to actively explore common ground with the opposition (as he did in 2008, with success), to roll out a tentative plan, and then to adjust it as Parliament sees fit…
But the prime minister’s mind seems sadly to remain closed Politics, politics, all is politics:
The last command…/”political cowardice” Upperdate
Afstan flash: One and half cheers for Peter MacKay/Dipper Upperdate
Afstan and our political cowards
Afstan: Will the prime minister listen to the Globe and Mail?
Will the prime minister listen to an Afghan lady?…
Who cares about the Afghan government? And strong horses?
Mark
Ottawa
It’s a done deal.
No troops will remain in Afghanistan, Canada will have a strictly civilian mission.
The only decision left comes from Karzai’s demand that all hired security companies have to leave Afghanistan.
So PMSH will be in search of a security alternative for the civilians remaining to work on behalf of Canada.
October 14, 2009
Civilian operation will replace military mission in Afghanistan after 2011: Stephen Harper
NATO asks for more troops, Canada says no
Canada turned down direct plea for more troops in Afghanistan
January 7, 2010
Afghanistan will be ‘strictly civilian mission’ after 2011, PM says
August 24, 2010
Internal documents reveal Ottawa’s vision for a ‘strictly civilian mission’ after 2011
Glad you’re happy with PMSH.
Mark
Ottawa
‘Roughly a third of Canadians back that option.’
True, I am in the 2/3 that agree with our PM.
Did we learn nothing with the lieberals ,dippers and separatists forcing excess stimulus money out of the Harper government then turning on them for the large defaecate that it incurred. The Afghanistan turn would happen immediately after a Canadian loss of life.
The Red Star calling for troops to stay, after they have spent the better part of a decade trying to get them to leave would be laughable…laughable, if it did not hurt so much losing the men and women we have in Afghanistan.
I believe there should be posters permanently affixed to lunchroom walls, at every newspaper in Canada, of the Time magazine cover of that unfortunate Afghan girl.
It would be a daily reminder of just what the MSM has been supporting by advocating a troop pullout, all these years.
It should shame them daily.
[...] But the prime minister seems unfortunately to have abandoned any such “vocation” or agenda, hidden or otherwise–see 2) here. As well as abandoning the Afghans. [...]