Well the ‘big’ independent panel’s assessment and recommendations for Canada’s role in Afghanistan was released today… and it makes a very interesting read that is both very frank and candid (much like Manley). It doesn’t pull punches or sugar-coat things for the sake of political “niceties” or political partisanship, and to be honest it’s pretty damned close to my views on what Canada’s international role should be like.
Gist of it:
- NATO (or others) must ‘pony-up’ an additional battle group of 1000+ troops for Kandahar before Feb.09 or Canada says good-bye and begins a phased withdrawal from the mission.
- Canadian government must secure a more robust tactical capability for our operations – ie. UVAs and medium-lift helicopters.
- Refocus Canada’s primary role to include a more robust diplomatic and reconstruction focus again.
- Canadian military should place a greater emphasis on an expanded training programme and in-field support of the Afghan Army battalions under it’s aegis, to instil not only a combat capability but the virtues of duty, honour, and service.
- Canadian government to directly track and keep tabs on military AND civilian aid projects and programmes in order to assure a more comprehensive application of efforts.
- Canadian government to vastly expand the scope and level of information relayed to the Canadian public about the mission so that the public is actually informed and not fed political/partisan sound-bites. One aspect of particular note stemming from this would be to dissuade the public (and politicians) of the idea that Canada can adopt a traditional “peacekeeping” role in Kandahar since there isn’t a peace to “keep” ass of yet.
Anyways while I highly doubt that even a few will bother to read through it I’ve posted a link to the report nonetheless in the hopes that some do before “weighing in” or spouting off in the usual way – considered and intelligent opinions though are always welcome even if they are critical
http://independent-panel-independant...port_web_e.pdf
Afghanistan - Canada's Future Role
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