Halifax Chronicle-Herald, published Friday
the 10th of March 2006
It’s
time to ‘sign on’ in support of CF mission
By
Alex Morrison and Len Canfield
In
recent columns in The Chronicle-Herald, Dan Leger and Paul Schneidereit have discussed different aspects of the
continued Canadian Forces (CF) deployment in Afghanistan, including support for
our troops as they continue the CF’s four-year presence in that country, the
need (or not) for parliamentary debate and whether Canada is slavishly
following the lead of the U.S. The points raised are important and timely.
The
most recent tragic events in Afghanistan involving Canadians have been a
painful but forceful reminder of the important--and many times under
appreciated-- contributions of our men and women in uniform who are committed
to building a more peaceful, secure and stable world.
Canada has once
again assumed major command and control roles in Afghanistan, first by
deploying approximately 2,300 troops to the southern region around Kandahar. A Canadian,
Brigadier-General David Fraser (a member of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light
Infantry) has assumed command of coalition forces from Canada and seven
other countries. The coalition’s mission is to bring peace and stability to the
region and to help the Afghan people rebuild the country after years of war and
conflict. We have all learned in recent days that this is not an easy task when
coalition forces are facing almost daily attacks by terrorists and other
insurgents.
The
mission has not and will not be without danger as the deaths of a number of
Canadian soldiers and a diplomat have demonstrated. Their ultimate sacrifice
must never be forgotten. These casualties were foretold by Bill Graham, the
former Minister of National Defence and General Rick Hillier, Chief of the
Defence Staff as they traveled across Canada last year
speaking of the difficulties and dangers our fellow citizens in uniform might
endure. In the face of these fatalities and injuries, and as members of the CF
and other government agencies strengthen their resolve to achieve their
mission, it is time for those of us at home to ‘sign on’ in support of
Canadians on the ground half a world away.
To
help Canadians more fully understand why we are in Afghanistan, the Prime
Minister, the Minister of National Defence and the military establishment
itself must ensure the maximum amount of information is made available on the
role, activities and achievements of the CF and other agencies in theatre. The
ready availability of timely and relevant information and commentary will help
the public to appreciate better why the substantial Canadian presence and
commitment in Afghanistan is both
desirable and necessary. The recent public affairs program announced by the
Department of National Defence will go a long way
towards spreading information and understanding. In addition, and considered
highly desirable by many, a “take note” debate in Parliament will attract
considerable media attention and will help all interested Canadians to better
understand the complicated and multi-faceted aspects of this and future
deployments.
Why
we are in Afghanistan can perhaps
best be summed up in the words of BGen David Fraser: “This mission is about
Canadians helping Afghans. Our goal is to enable and facilitate the rebuilding
of their country so that it continues to develop as a democracy… becomes more
stable and prosperous.”
But
to achieve stabilization and speed up the rebuilding process it is necessary
that Canadian and other coalition forces conduct the often-dangerous patrols of
towns and the countryside to thwart insurgent attacks on both the military and
innocent civilians.
An
essential component of the Canadian presence in southern Afghanistan is the
Provincial Reconstruction Team. The PRT is an integrated military-civilian
undertaking and includes several hundred CF members and officials/staff of
Foreign Affairs Canada, Canadian International Development Agency and the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police.
PRT
members bring a wide range of experience and expertise in working with local
Afghan authorities. The PRT’s activities include helping to reinforce the
authority of the Afghan government in the region, monitoring and facilitating
security sector reforms, assisting with economic development and promoting
social issues. The CF members of the PRT, for example, are drawn from infantry,
engineer, health and medical, general support and other specialized units.
Deployed
also in Afghanistan is a 1,200
person battle group with the task of ensuring a secure environment within which
the Afghani people can chart the future course of their country.
Brigadier-General
Rick Parsons, Commander Land Forces Atlantic Area and Deputy Commander Joint
Task Force Atlantic is high in his praise on the work
of our military and civilian personnel in Afghanistan. At the
March luncheon of the Royal United Services Institute of Nova Scotia, BGen
Parsons described his December trip to Afghanistan and of
meeting with PRT and battle group members and with Afghan authorities. “We are
helping to make a difference in the day to day lives of the Afghan people,” he
explained.
Observing
first hand on what Canadians are doing in Afghanistan will be most
useful for BGen Parsons as he and his staff gear up for selecting and training
the February 2007 rotation of CF members for Afghanistan. The
majority of Task Force 1-07, approximately 1000 members, will come from
Atlantic Canada. It will be built around the 2nd Battalion Royal
Canadian Regiment at CFB Gagetown and made up of 80 per cent regular and 20 per
cent reserve force members.
Members
of the Canadian Forces are highly trained and disciplined and are recognized
globally for their professionalism. They have brought great distinction to Canada in war and
numerous peacetime missions around the world. Our service men and women are in Afghanistan to carry out
a commitment of their government to fight terrorism and to help better the
lives of the Afghan people. They need to know their efforts and sacrifices are
understood and appreciated at home.
Alex Morrison and Len Canfield are members of the Board of
Directors of the Royal United Services Institute of NS, a professional forum
for the study, promotion and debate of defence and security issues.
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