- Reaction score
- 3,949
- Points
- 1,260
So, IF the Jack & Gilles get their coalition, what happens to CAN's mission in AFG?
The Liberal platform promise (.pdf) is:
NDP's pledge (scan of web page attached below):
And since the Bloc'll have a word in, here's a bit of their platform (scan of Google English translation also attached below):
Any way of squaring the circle? Anyone? Anyone?
The Liberal platform promise (.pdf) is:
A Liberal government will ensure that it is understood that Canada’s commitment to maintain a military presence in Kandahar will end by July 2011....
The Liberal Party remains committed to helping the people of Afghanistan as they work to build a stable, secure and democratic country. We are proud of the efforts of the men and women in uniform and the civilians who have taken up this challenge. The Liberal caucus took the lead in drafting and passing the motion in Parliament on the mission in Afghanistan. Our changes to the motion forced the Conservative government to accept our views that: the mission needs to change so there is a greater emphasis on training, security and reconstruction; the military mission in Kandahar needed to have a firm end date of 2011; and the government must go beyond an exclusively military focus in its approach to Afghanistan by increasing efforts with respect to development and international diplomacy.
The Liberal amendments also imposed a greater commitment to transparency and accountability on the government. Too often, the Conservatives have not been forthcoming with Canadians about developments in Afghanistan, particularly with respect to such crucial issues as the treatment of detainees transferred by Canadians to Afghan authorities. This lack of transparency and accountability has harmed both our international credibility and domestic support for our efforts in Afghanistan. Under a Liberal government, this approach will change and we will be guided by the both the letter and the spirit of the resolution that was passed in the House.
We will also ensure that our international partners understand the nature and extent of the commitment that Canada has made. We will not say one thing to a domestic audience and another to our allies. Although we understand that Canada must maintain a long-term commitment to the people of Afghanistan, we will be unequivocal that we cannot continue to be asked to shoulder the bulk of the responsibility in Kandahar indefinitely. We will ensure that it is understood that Canada’s commitment to maintain a military presence in Kandahar will end by July 2011....
NDP's pledge (scan of web page attached below):
....Jack Layton and the New Democrats will:
- Withdraw all Canadian forces from the Afghanistan combat mission, with reasonable advance
notice and in consultation with our allies.
- Ensure that Canada delivers on the aid and development assistance commitment made through the
Afghanistan Compact.
- Ensure that women and human rights groups in Afghanistan can access Canadian development
dollars, and that corruption at all levels of government is addressed effectively.
- Ensure that the United Nations, not NATO or the US, becomes the lead organization in the
provision of security and development assistance in Afghanistan.
- Explore and promote opportunities for negotiating peace at the national, regional and international
levels, in line with proposals made by the President of Afghanistan and leading security experts....
And since the Bloc'll have a word in, here's a bit of their platform (scan of Google English translation also attached below):
The Bloc Québécois stresses the importance of a rapid rebalancing of the mission for particular humanitarian aspect. Moreover, in May 2006, the Bloc Quebecois voted against the extension of the mission until February 2009 in its current form. But from the moment it has undertaken, we believe that Canada must respect this commitment and continue its military effort in the Assistance Force (ISAF) for Afghanistan. A sudden withdrawal would be fraught with consequences for the Afghan people. This gesture would be irresponsible to our allies, who rely on the collaboration of Canada....
Any way of squaring the circle? Anyone? Anyone?