The controversial governor of Kandahar was on his way out until a political gaffe by Canada's foreign affairs minister hindered those plans, an Afghan politician says. | Yeah, really. It's all Bernier's fault. Otherwise that guy woulda walked the plank or something by now. |
Last week Bernier publicly said Afghan President Hamid Karzai should remove Khalid from office based on allegations of corruption. Khalid was among Afghan officials alleged to have participated in torture of detainees. Khalid has denied the reports.
| "No, no! Certainly not!" |
| "No, no! Certainly not!" |
Pashtun says Bernier's call left Karzai with no choice but to leave Khalid in the posting or appear as if he's following Canada's bidding.
| 'Cuz the Great White North spends so much time ruthlessly imposing its hegemony on the itty bitty teeny tiny mostly warmer nations of the world. Yes! They writhe under the cruel Canucklian hobnailed snowshoe! Think of the shame the proud Pashtuns feel when any random pickup team of infidel Canucks, to include girls in mukluks, wipes the ice with the Kandahar Maple Leafs in the dead of the Brutal Afghan Winter™... |
Comments a 'misunderstanding'
Khalid, who toured a Canadian-funded facility in Kandahar City Tuesday with International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda, called Bernier's comments a misunderstanding. "This issue is solved already Â… it was a misunderstanding," said Khalid. "For me, the relations between the Afghans and Canadians [are] more important than small issues."
Oda said Bernier's comments had no negative impact on her meetings with Afghan officials. "Not at all, and again, it was a matter of them continually saying how much they appreciate Canada's work here and how they want to increase the partnership," said Oda. "They are delighted with the way Canada works with the government and we've had very good discussions."