http://www.dianaswednesday.com/2008/01/manley-recommends-extending-afghan-mission/ Where the world comes together Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:41:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 http://www.dianaswednesday.com/2008/01/manley-recommends-extending-afghan-mission/#comment-1091 Diana Thébaud Nicholson Tue, 29 Jan 2008 07:00:48 +0000 http://www.dianaswednesday.com/2008/01/manley-recommends-extending-afghan-mission/#comment-1091 (RCI) OTTAWA: PRIME MINISTER SETS CONDITIONS FOR EXTENDING AFGHAN MILITARY MISSION Prime Minister Stephen Harper declared on Monday that he was ready to extend Canada's military mission in Afghanistan beyond its scheduled end in February, 2009, but only if NATO forces offer more help. Canada has 2,500 soldiers serving mainly in Kandahar. In a news conference, Mr. Harper said that he broadly accepts the recommendations of a panel on the Canadian mission in Afghanistan that were revealed last week. The government-appointed panel headed by former Liberal Party cabinet minister John Manley recommended that Canada extend its mission if NATO allies send one thousand more troops to the dangerous Kandahar region. The panel also urged the government to accelerate the purchase of helicopters and surveillance aircraft. Mr. Harper will present a parliamentary motion in the Spring on extending the Afghan mission. His Conservative Party is in a minority position, and a defeat of the motion might lead the government to fall, opening the way to a federal election. Public opinions polls suggest that many Canadians want the mission to end as scheduled in 2009. (RCI) OTTAWA: PRIME MINISTER SETS CONDITIONS FOR EXTENDING AFGHAN MILITARY MISSION
Prime Minister Stephen Harper declared on Monday that he was ready to extend Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan beyond its scheduled end in February, 2009, but only if NATO forces offer more help. Canada has 2,500 soldiers serving mainly in Kandahar. In a news conference, Mr. Harper said that he broadly accepts the recommendations of a panel on the Canadian mission in Afghanistan that were revealed last week. The government-appointed panel headed by former Liberal Party cabinet minister John Manley recommended that Canada extend its mission if NATO allies send one thousand more troops to the dangerous Kandahar region. The panel also urged the government to accelerate the purchase of helicopters and surveillance aircraft. Mr. Harper will present a parliamentary motion in the Spring on extending the Afghan mission. His Conservative Party is in a minority position, and a defeat of the motion might lead the government to fall, opening the way to a federal election. Public opinions polls suggest that many Canadians want the mission to end as scheduled in 2009.

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