| General Rick Hillier was asked about this week's NATO decision to rent helicopters flown by civilians for use in southern Afghanistan |
KANDAHAR — Canada's top soldier has joined a growing chorus of NATO political and military leaders calling on several European nations to take a bigger role in the war-torn southern provinces of Afghanistan. Talking to reporters during a visit to Kandahar air field Thursday, General Rick Hillier was asked about this week's NATO decision to rent helicopters flown by civilians for use in southern Afghanistan, and why no military aircraft could be found to do the job. Gen. Hillier said there were helicopters available in European countries, and called on his European counterparts to provide more equipment and troops on the ground. “At the end of this, all NATO countries signed up for this mission,” he said.
|