Trident, published Monday 20 March 2006
Time to support CF mission in Afghanistan
By Alex Morrison and Len Canfield
Royal United Services
Institute of N.S.
In light of comments by politicians, media and defence
analysts and others concerning the continued Canadian Forces (CF) deployment in
Afghanistan, it
is time for the Canadian public to be provided the maximum information on our
government’s commitment in Afghanistan.
At the same time, while the government must ensure CF members are properly
trained and equipped for their Afghan mission and the general public kept fully
informed, the public also has a moral responsibility to support our troops.
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 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 that this is not an easy task when
coalition forces are facing almost daily attacks by extremists and terrorists.
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. Bill Graham, the former Minister of
National Defence and General Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff foretold
these casualties as they traveled across Canada
last year speaking of the difficulties and dangers CF members 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. In addition, and considered 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.
Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor has stated that Canada’s
Afghan mission is “in our national interest” and supports the country’s role in
bringing stability to failed states.
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 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.
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