midget-boyd91
Sr. Member
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Courtesy of Ctv.ca
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080108/libs_afghan_080108/20080108?hub=Politics
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Political solution necessary in Afghanistan: Dion
Updated Tue. Jan. 8 2008 2:47 PM ET
The Canadian Press
OTTAWA -- Liberal Leader Stephane Dion says Canada must "remain engaged'' in Afghanistan but at the same time give its military the flexibility to deploy elsewhere.
In his party's submission to a panel studying Canada's role in the war on terror, Dion says a decision to withdraw from combat "does not represent an abandonment of Afghanistan.''
He repeated his position that Canada should notify NATO immediately that it will end its counter-insurgency operations out of Kandahar as scheduled in February next year.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has appointed a former Liberal cabinet minister, the hawkish John Manley, to head a blue-ribbon panel to study the issue and recommend a way forward in Afghanistan.
The panel is to report by month's end; Harper has said he will bring the issue to a Commons vote by spring.
Dion says any military role to which Canada commits must allow Afghans themselves to achieve a political solution to their problems.
He says Canada's efforts in Afghanistan should include diplomatic and development efforts and a "potential continued military presence.''
He says his Liberals are open to other possible military roles in Afghanistan, including training the Afghan National Army and police, protecting Afghan civilians or spearheading reconstruction efforts.
But Dion says the party "will not accept the simple re-branding of the current combat mission as a training mission.''
"Any new military role must be crafted in such a way as to ensure that other significant Canadian Forces deployments in other parts of the world are possible,'' he wrote.
Canada must also call for "an immediate, NATO-wide solution that ensures that detainees are not transferred into a situation where they could face torture,'' the submission says.
"This may require the construction and maintenance of NATO holding facilities completely under the control and supervision of NATO personnel.''
He said the Conservative government must show greater commitment to accountability and transparency with regard to the mission.
"They must abandon the practice of abusing the excuse of national security to withhold from the public politically embarrassing information,'' he said.
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I wonder what he would define as "torture" anyways? Does slapping someone around a bit count? If it does then there's a lot of torture happening all over Canada. Maybe he should call for the government to pass a bill guaranteeing that youth will not be subject to torture on school grounds by bigger people demanding lunch money.
National security isn't a joke. If something is being withheld due to threats to our national security.... keep it away from the publics eyes and ears.
midget
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080108/libs_afghan_080108/20080108?hub=Politics
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Political solution necessary in Afghanistan: Dion
Updated Tue. Jan. 8 2008 2:47 PM ET
The Canadian Press
OTTAWA -- Liberal Leader Stephane Dion says Canada must "remain engaged'' in Afghanistan but at the same time give its military the flexibility to deploy elsewhere.
In his party's submission to a panel studying Canada's role in the war on terror, Dion says a decision to withdraw from combat "does not represent an abandonment of Afghanistan.''
He repeated his position that Canada should notify NATO immediately that it will end its counter-insurgency operations out of Kandahar as scheduled in February next year.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has appointed a former Liberal cabinet minister, the hawkish John Manley, to head a blue-ribbon panel to study the issue and recommend a way forward in Afghanistan.
The panel is to report by month's end; Harper has said he will bring the issue to a Commons vote by spring.
Dion says any military role to which Canada commits must allow Afghans themselves to achieve a political solution to their problems.
He says Canada's efforts in Afghanistan should include diplomatic and development efforts and a "potential continued military presence.''
He says his Liberals are open to other possible military roles in Afghanistan, including training the Afghan National Army and police, protecting Afghan civilians or spearheading reconstruction efforts.
But Dion says the party "will not accept the simple re-branding of the current combat mission as a training mission.''
"Any new military role must be crafted in such a way as to ensure that other significant Canadian Forces deployments in other parts of the world are possible,'' he wrote.
Canada must also call for "an immediate, NATO-wide solution that ensures that detainees are not transferred into a situation where they could face torture,'' the submission says.
"This may require the construction and maintenance of NATO holding facilities completely under the control and supervision of NATO personnel.''
He said the Conservative government must show greater commitment to accountability and transparency with regard to the mission.
"They must abandon the practice of abusing the excuse of national security to withhold from the public politically embarrassing information,'' he said.
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Really? Maybe he should try telling that to the Afghans who will be slaughtered by the Taliban should Canada leave Kandahar.In his party's submission to a panel studying Canada's role in the war on terror, Dion says a decision to withdraw from combat "does not represent an abandonment of Afghanistan.''
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there already assets in place to help with the political situation? Oh yes, thats right, the ones who write speeches for the Afghan government to deliver in parliment.Dion says any military role to which Canada commits must allow Afghans themselves to achieve a political solution to their problems.
Methinks he just contradicted himself a wee bit there. I also wonder if he knows about the OMLTs?[I think that's the correct acronym] or operations like Operation Causeway?He says his Liberals are open to other possible military roles in Afghanistan, including training the Afghan National Army and police, protecting Afghan civilians or spearheading reconstruction efforts.
But Dion says the party "will not accept the simple re-branding of the current combat mission as a training mission.''
.... oh, come on. Torture can happen ANYWHERES on that side of the globe, not just in a cell. Stopping the detention of anyone because there is the possibility that torture could take place makes a whole lot of sense, doesn't it?Canada must also call for "an immediate, NATO-wide solution that ensures that detainees are not transferred into a situation where they could face torture,'' the submission says.
I wonder what he would define as "torture" anyways? Does slapping someone around a bit count? If it does then there's a lot of torture happening all over Canada. Maybe he should call for the government to pass a bill guaranteeing that youth will not be subject to torture on school grounds by bigger people demanding lunch money.
Translation: "To hell with national security, we need stuff we can milk to gain some votes.""They must abandon the practice of abusing the excuse of national security to withhold from the public politically embarrassing information,'' he said.
National security isn't a joke. If something is being withheld due to threats to our national security.... keep it away from the publics eyes and ears.
midget