Monday, August 21, 2006
Why are we there?
With a lot of news devoted to Canada's involvement in Afghanistan, it's not unreasonable for the average Canadian to ask why is Canada risking 2,000+ soldiers lives for a war that doesn't seem to have concrete reasons for us to be there.
There has been a website set up (www.canada-afghanistan.gc.ca) to explain these reasons. On the home page it states:
Canada is in Afghanistan today to:
1) Defend out national interests: What exactly is the national interest with/in Afghanistan? Prior to 9/11, I do not recall Afghanistan ever being a threat to Canada. In fact, there was a time when Americans were arming Osama Bin Laden to fight the Russians. They were are allies, in some respects. Has the Taliban made any threats towards Canada, prior to establishing a military presence there? Have we instead risked national security by taking a more aggressive approach? Statistics show that we do not trade much with Afghanistan. Imports total less than $375,000, while exports total $9.6 million, a drop in the bucket when you consider Canada's GDP is $5.39 billion.
2) Ensure Canadian leadership in world affairs: Canada has a reputation of being a peace-keeping nation, and when citizens of other countries read of Canada's desire to aid in the fight on the war on terrorism, this sent a chill around the world. If Canada of all countries, it seems, decides to engage in war, do we really have any chance at peace? And by deciding to go to Afghanistan, is this really leadership, or are we just a herd of sheep led by the USA and the U.K.?
3) Help Afghanistan rebuild: Canada has a provincial reconstructiont team (PRT) which "reinforces the authority of the Afghan government in Kandahar Province, assisting in the stabilization and development of the region. It monitors security, promotes Afghan government policies and priorities with local authorities, and facilitates security sector reforms." The plan is to have the PRT in place until February 2007. If the country is as worn-torn as reported, every rich nation should aid Afghan civilians in rebuilding their towns and infrastructure. However, this "deadline" of February 2007 doesn't seem to give it a lot of time.
Why February 2007? What will become of Afghanistan if there is a complete withdrawal of Canadian soldiers; will civilians be safe? What is the final goal of Canada's involvementl? Is the Taliban the target of Canada's mission? If the Taliban are completely eliminated, has Canada been successful? Would capturing Osama Bin Laden end the conflict? Has diplomatic measures been attempted? Have there been any direct threats against Canada we shoud be aware of?
I don't pretend to have all the answers, because I don't. I don't know exactly why we are overseas fighting. If someone can give me a straight answer, I'd love to hear it.
There has been a website set up (www.canada-afghanistan.gc.ca) to explain these reasons. On the home page it states:
Canada is in Afghanistan today to:
- defend our national interests;
- ensure Canadian leadership in world affairs; and
- help Afghanistan rebuild.
1) Defend out national interests: What exactly is the national interest with/in Afghanistan? Prior to 9/11, I do not recall Afghanistan ever being a threat to Canada. In fact, there was a time when Americans were arming Osama Bin Laden to fight the Russians. They were are allies, in some respects. Has the Taliban made any threats towards Canada, prior to establishing a military presence there? Have we instead risked national security by taking a more aggressive approach? Statistics show that we do not trade much with Afghanistan. Imports total less than $375,000, while exports total $9.6 million, a drop in the bucket when you consider Canada's GDP is $5.39 billion.
2) Ensure Canadian leadership in world affairs: Canada has a reputation of being a peace-keeping nation, and when citizens of other countries read of Canada's desire to aid in the fight on the war on terrorism, this sent a chill around the world. If Canada of all countries, it seems, decides to engage in war, do we really have any chance at peace? And by deciding to go to Afghanistan, is this really leadership, or are we just a herd of sheep led by the USA and the U.K.?
3) Help Afghanistan rebuild: Canada has a provincial reconstructiont team (PRT) which "reinforces the authority of the Afghan government in Kandahar Province, assisting in the stabilization and development of the region. It monitors security, promotes Afghan government policies and priorities with local authorities, and facilitates security sector reforms." The plan is to have the PRT in place until February 2007. If the country is as worn-torn as reported, every rich nation should aid Afghan civilians in rebuilding their towns and infrastructure. However, this "deadline" of February 2007 doesn't seem to give it a lot of time.
Why February 2007? What will become of Afghanistan if there is a complete withdrawal of Canadian soldiers; will civilians be safe? What is the final goal of Canada's involvementl? Is the Taliban the target of Canada's mission? If the Taliban are completely eliminated, has Canada been successful? Would capturing Osama Bin Laden end the conflict? Has diplomatic measures been attempted? Have there been any direct threats against Canada we shoud be aware of?
I don't pretend to have all the answers, because I don't. I don't know exactly why we are overseas fighting. If someone can give me a straight answer, I'd love to hear it.
# posted by SBP : 10:16 PM
Comments:
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We are there because Canadians died after an attack on the World Trade Centre. This attack was launched by a group who was given safe harbour by the Taliban. If any govenment supports actions that threaten Canadians...we should do our part to removes that government.
BTW...if it had been a relative of mine that was killed by a terrorist act...those who were invovled had better hide their family members well.
BTW...if it had been a relative of mine that was killed by a terrorist act...those who were invovled had better hide their family members well.
# posted by 
: 8:21 AM, August 22, 2006
: 8:21 AM, August 22, 2006
"Why are we there?" I think that it should be; Why are we still there? We went in to do a job that was not completed; destroy terror. We were able to reopen our Canadian embassy in Kabul in 2003 after reestablishing relationships with Afghanistan. Afghanistan is now the single largest recipient of Canadian aid with a number of $616. million from 2001 to 2009. Canada is in a position of attempting to protect Canadians who live in Afghanistan while attempting to rebuild a country that we have sunk a great deal of money in.
So, technically, the three objectives that the Canadian government site has given are accurate for the most part. We are now protecting a commitment we made along with investments to create and rebuild a new Afghanistan.
From my point of view we are not doing the right thing…I was at a going away party three weeks ago with for a close friend. He was supposed to be sent to a post a year ago in Afghanistan that was more or less “peace keeping” and had no real direct involvement. With bureaucratic changes he was told to stay back and now almost a year later was sent on full active duty in Kandahar and is in the middle of a shit storm that he really doesn’t want to be in anymore.
This is still bush’s war and we should not be there anymore. The fact that the Canadian government has said that our troops are going to be there for two more years just goes to show you how Harper is the child president’s, little Bitch. I hope my buddy Steve and all our boys have a safe return , as they are fighting a war that would have ended years ago but has continued due to the agendas’ of a select group of individuals and one administration.
You know maybe Clinton was an adulterer, but when he was in office he had a great deal of policy and respect in place for the environment, peace and the economy (for the most part) now since the bush’s Nazi regime has been in power they have overturned or abolished the environmental policies, the economy faltered, and well I don’t need to explain his crusade overseas.
Forts
So, technically, the three objectives that the Canadian government site has given are accurate for the most part. We are now protecting a commitment we made along with investments to create and rebuild a new Afghanistan.
From my point of view we are not doing the right thing…I was at a going away party three weeks ago with for a close friend. He was supposed to be sent to a post a year ago in Afghanistan that was more or less “peace keeping” and had no real direct involvement. With bureaucratic changes he was told to stay back and now almost a year later was sent on full active duty in Kandahar and is in the middle of a shit storm that he really doesn’t want to be in anymore.
This is still bush’s war and we should not be there anymore. The fact that the Canadian government has said that our troops are going to be there for two more years just goes to show you how Harper is the child president’s, little Bitch. I hope my buddy Steve and all our boys have a safe return , as they are fighting a war that would have ended years ago but has continued due to the agendas’ of a select group of individuals and one administration.
You know maybe Clinton was an adulterer, but when he was in office he had a great deal of policy and respect in place for the environment, peace and the economy (for the most part) now since the bush’s Nazi regime has been in power they have overturned or abolished the environmental policies, the economy faltered, and well I don’t need to explain his crusade overseas.
Forts
# posted by : 9:14 AM, August 22, 2006
: 9:14 AM, August 22, 2006
Ben, we're there because we feel like we have to be there. When they talk about protecting Canadian interests, they are probably referring to our relationships with Britain and the US. It's hard to avoid a war when your two biggest allies are asking for your help.
That doesn't make the fact that we're there right.
If you want to paint this as Americans protecting their oil interests, that's fine too. I'm sure they are. But when the oil in the Middle East runs dry, guess where the Yanks will turn? Maybe that's another 'interest' Canada is protecting.
That doesn't make the fact that we're there right.
If you want to paint this as Americans protecting their oil interests, that's fine too. I'm sure they are. But when the oil in the Middle East runs dry, guess where the Yanks will turn? Maybe that's another 'interest' Canada is protecting.
# posted by : 12:29 PM, August 22, 2006
: 12:29 PM, August 22, 2006
I agree with the last comment and that is why it is so crucial that Canada set legislation and policy to assure that when the time comes that the US is looking for our water (as they are already getting some) and oil that we can sell it to them in a fashion that is positive to Canada and in a way that we will not waste, abuse or over use our supplies.
Canada is fighting this war to protect many of our interests and I think that oil is one of them. Bush and his administration already attempted to pass a bill (which failed) to drill in the Alaskan wildlife refuge which would have displaced 1000’s of animals as well as destroyed the environment. We can not let that happen to Canada…
Canada is fighting this war to protect many of our interests and I think that oil is one of them. Bush and his administration already attempted to pass a bill (which failed) to drill in the Alaskan wildlife refuge which would have displaced 1000’s of animals as well as destroyed the environment. We can not let that happen to Canada…
# posted by : 1:49 PM, August 22, 2006
: 1:49 PM, August 22, 2006
I guess there are a lot of reasons why Canada would get involved. I can't even begin to understand the political history of Afganistan. I recently heard a documentary on the radio that dealt with the question, why are we in Afganistan?
They spoke with aid workers, and citizens of the country and they said without our soliders over there, the people of Afganistan would suffer even more. Progress is being made, we just don't hear about it. Infrasture is able to get built, schools and hospitals. The taliban have tortured the people of Afganistan for many decades.
Every war has a history of polical gain for particpating countries. This one isn't any different.
I hate to hear about soliders dying over there, but you have to believe they are there for some good, even if just for their families and friends.
I think people are upset about this misson because it has been a long time since we have seen so many soliders return to Canada dead. Ultimately that is what they are trained for. I guess they miss that point in all the snazzy commerials you see on TV and before your blockbuster movie.
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They spoke with aid workers, and citizens of the country and they said without our soliders over there, the people of Afganistan would suffer even more. Progress is being made, we just don't hear about it. Infrasture is able to get built, schools and hospitals. The taliban have tortured the people of Afganistan for many decades.
Every war has a history of polical gain for particpating countries. This one isn't any different.
I hate to hear about soliders dying over there, but you have to believe they are there for some good, even if just for their families and friends.
I think people are upset about this misson because it has been a long time since we have seen so many soliders return to Canada dead. Ultimately that is what they are trained for. I guess they miss that point in all the snazzy commerials you see on TV and before your blockbuster movie.
# posted by : 4:21 PM, August 22, 2006
: 4:21 PM, August 22, 2006Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
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