MacKay Hints at Extending Afghanistan Commitment
Focus Would Shift to Cities, Humanitarian Aid
MacKay’s 3-day visit follows Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s recent visit. It continues signaling a shift Canada’s focus from a combat mission to a humanitarian, and reconstruction mission.
Will Respect Parliament’s Position On Afghan Mission
When Canada extended its mission in Afghanistan until 2011, it did so with a Parliamentary vote. As the countdown toward Canada’s pullout date begins in earnest Mackay hints that an extension is possible, but not in the combat role. In remarks published by the Globe& Mail he indicated that if opened to a Parliamentary vote, his government would abide by Parliament’s wishes on the matter: “We’ve said time, and time again we’re going to respect Parliament’s voice on this.” Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has recently hinted his party would be open to such an extension.
If the mission were extended beyond 2011 focus would shift from combat to reconstruction. The goal would be to secure Afghanistan’s larger population centres to allow enhanced aid, build schools, provide immunization, and enable micro-financing credit. In comments published by the Chronicle-Herald, MacKay describes says it would allow concentration on concrete aspects in smaller areas, instead of large areas: “It’s microcosms of the whole government approach in concentrated areas rather than simply focusing on holding large swaths of land.”
During his visit, MacKay attended a barbecue with troops, and visited sites outside the base. Due to security concerns, no media were permitted to follow him on that portion of his visit.
New Policy Announcements: Forensic Centre, Rehab Facilities For Veterans
Defence Minister Peter MacKay also announced Canadian plans to establish the Multi-disciplinary Exploitation Centre, a forensic lab to analyze the construction of Improvised Explosive Devices (I.E.D.’s). The lab will use the latest techniques to examine the construction of the explosive devices in the hopes of finding a pattern in their construction. In comments published by the Calgary Herald, MacKay said he realized the significance of such work: “What we’re doing here is extremely important work… the examination of that material is critical to saving lives.” He continued to describe the new forensic centre as CSI Kandahar.
MacKay also announced expansion plans for the Joint Personnel Support Unit, a program to help ill or injured veterans. Plans for the first 8 centres were revealed in March, while MacKay announced an additional 11 to be located across the country. These facilities will combine services offered by Veterans Affairs for returning soldiers and their families under a single roof.
Canada has 2800 soldiers serving in southern Afghanistan, and has lost 118 soldiers since the war began in 2002. Recent polls indicate Canadians are divided on whether or not to extend beyond the 2011 pullout date.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay
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