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Afghanistan
Canadian general urges NATO to let more troops in south Afghanistan
2006-11-19
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The NATO-led force in Afghanistan would be more effective if member countries lifted restrictions that prevent their troops from fighting insurgents in the countryÂ’s restive south, a senior Canadian officer said on Saturday. Brig. Gen. Tim Grant, the commanding officer of Canadian forces in Afghanistan, said that if the commander of the NATO-led force had more flexibility in the deployment and the use of all the troops here I think it would be better for everyone.Â’
It would also help if the other NATO troops would fight at night and on weekends.
The issue is not necessarily having more troops stationed here on a permanent basis,Â’ Grant told The Associated Press in an interview at this sprawling southern military base. But if there are situations ... when it is important to have different capacities, different capabilities on the ground, that is when (the NATO) commander needs to be able to move troops,Â’ he said.

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on Friday, speaking at a meeting in Quebec City, urged lawmakers from the allianceÂ’s member nations to lean on their governments to remove troop restrictions.

Many of the 37 troop-contributing nations currently serving with the 31,000 strong NATO-led force in Afghanistan have refused to join the fight against Taleban and other insurgents in the countryÂ’s south, leaving the task to Canadian, American, British and Dutch forces. The French, German and Italian forces patrol relatively quiet sectors in the north under self-imposed limitations, known in NATO as caveats, that keep them out of combat operations.
Which allows them to say that they're helping -- gosh, can't help elsewhere since they're max'd out in Afghanistan -- without actually doing anything. This is called, I think, 'lip service'.
This year alone 34 Canadian soldiers have been killed in clashes and attacks.

I think Canada has always realized that the southern part of Afghanistan would be a difficult chore,Â’ Grant said. This is the home of the Taleban.Â’

The situation in the south will determine the course the country will take, he said. 'People say how goes Kandahar goes Afghanistan,Â’ Grant said. 'I do not think we are in any danger of losing the south,Â’ Grant said.

Creating a secure environment in which reconstruction can take place remains the crucial element of the allianceÂ’s mission, he said. 'At the end of the day we are making tremendous progress here in the south and Afghanistan is not in danger,Â’ Grant said.
Thank you Canada, and may you continue to embarrass the French with your fortitude.
Posted by:Steve White

#2  Homefront support is important, too, Excalibur, so you did your bit this morning. And you're right to be proud -- the Canadian troops are quite something! :-)
Posted by: trailing wife   2006-11-19 22:08  

#1  I went to get a coffee this morning met a young reservist on his way in for weekend training. My heart swells with pride when see see Canadian Forces personnel. It is humbling to think of the work they are doing as I stumble along in an office job.
Posted by: Excalibur   2006-11-19 09:09  

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