Amid growing opposition to combat role, Harper concedes Afghan mission has limits
GLORIA GALLOWAY AND INGRID PERITZ
June 23, 2007
OTTAWA and QUEBEC -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who once insisted that Canadian troops will stay in Afghanistan until the job is done, now says the military mission will end in February, 2009, unless the opposition agrees it should be extended.
The acceptance that the mission's lifespan may be limited comes as the Prime Minister faces growing opposition to Canada's combat role in the Afghan south - a decline in support that has been particularly pronounced in Quebec.
"This mission will end in February, 2009," Mr. Harper said yesterday at a rare House of Commons news conference held to mark the end of the spring sitting.
"Should Canada be involved militarily after that date, we have been clear that would have to be approved by the Canadian Parliament. From my personal perspective, I would want to see some degree of consensus around that. I don't want to send people into a mission if the opposition at home is going to undercut the dangerous work that they're doing in the field."
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Mr. Harper made the comment on the day Quebec-based troops gathered for a public send off in Quebec City amid planned protests and high levels of public opposition to the mission.
Some soldiers from Canadian Forces Base Valcartier near Quebec City said they regularly have to explain the purpose of their mission to friends and loved ones, who often confuse the Afghan mission with U.S.-led military operations in Iraq.
"Not many people are quite sure what we're doing there; it's far away, and I always have to explain it to them," said Private Jonathan Poirier, 22, one of hundreds of troops in sand-coloured fatigues at the Quebec City Convention Centre. "But I'm living my dream, and I believe in what we're doing."
Mr. Harper said he believes the opposition leaders, particularly Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion and Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe, are open to some form of development role being played by Canada when the soldiers return home.
"I don't think they are suggesting, based on recent comments, that we would simply abandon Afghanistan in 2009," he said, "so I hope that some time in the next few months we will be able to get a meeting of the minds on what the appropriate next steps are."
A month ago in Afghanistan, Mr. Harper told members of the Canadian Forces that Canada "can't set arbitrary deadlines and hope for the best. ... We can't just put down our weapons and hope for peace."
And in September of last year, he said the only exit strategy from Afghanistan would be success. "There will be no other conditions under which this government leaves Afghanistan," he said. "We will succeed in our security mission and we will see that country moving in irreversible progress to being an economically prosperous and peaceful society. That is the only way this government will leave."
But, with the Canadian military death toll now at 60, support for the effort is waning. A poll conducted this month by Decima research suggested that two-thirds of Canadians wanted the troops to come home when the current mandate expires in February, 2009.
Opposition to the war is highest in Quebec. Anti-war groups threatened to mar a night-time parade of the 2,000 soldiers from the Royal 22nd Regiment, or Vandoos, who are shipping out to Kandahar beginning next month.
The war opponents say they aren't targeting soldiers personally, but insist the Afghan mission is being imposed on the province against Quebeckers' will.
"We respect the soldiers but we don't support them," said Mathilde Forest-Rivière of the War on War coalition. "We don't support the deployment of troops to Afghanistan, and these soldiers aren't innocent."
A ceremony at the convention centre to mark the troops' imminent departure brought together officials such as Mr. Dion, Roméo Dallaire, General Rick Hillier and Quebec Premier Jean Charest.
Afterward, in an apparent bid to thwart protesters, the army set off from the convention centre for the parade in the opposite direction of their announced route. Outside, they were greeted by cheers, not jeers, from hundreds of onlookers.
Thousands of well-wishers lined the parade route, applauding the troops as they marched past under police guard. But the soldiers were greeted at the end of the route around the convention centre by a swarm of protesters, some wearing masks, shouting anti-war slogans and urging the troops to desert.
Against this uneasy backdrop, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's top official travelled to Quebec City yesterday and exhorted Quebec-based soldiers to recall the tradition and reputation of the fabled Vandoos as they head off to combat.
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, standing before the Vandoos's red-coated honour guard in Quebec City's historic Citadel, told the soldiers they were fighting to preserve universal values.
"I can tell you it's a good cause, it's an essential cause," he said in French. Mr. de Hoop Scheffer said he wanted to travel to Quebec and address Quebeckers "in their mother tongue" to drive home the importance of the mission.
"I think the participation of Canadians is essential," he told a press conference, explaining that rebuilding the country without combat is impossible.
"Development and reconstruction in Afghanistan is not possible without the creation of a climate of security and stability," he said. "So, unfortunately, we are fighting ... we have to fight."
Senior military staff in Quebec said the controversial night-time march through the streets of Quebec City, depicted by some as a public-relations manoeuvre, was intended to rally public support for the troops.
"It's important as they leave [for Afghanistan] that they know they have the city and the province of Quebec behind them," said Brigadier-General Christian Barabé, commander of Land Force Quebec Area. "That way, when they suffer a tough blow, they'll know that people will be there with them and supporting the sacrifice they're making."
Last night, Mr. Charest urged Quebeckers, as they celebrate their identity and pride this weekend for the St. Jean Baptiste national holiday, to recall how previous generations fought for freedom. The Premier noted it was the largest deployment of Quebec troops since the Korean War.
The Conservatives must pick up seats in Quebec if they are to win a majority government. And the negative feelings being expressed about the mission in that province could well intensify if members of the Royal 22nd Regiment sustain heavy casualties.
There is talk in Ottawa - in both Liberal and Conservative circles - that the mission's importance has not been adequately articulated. That would suggest that Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor has not been doing an adequate job of communications and there is much speculation that he will be the victim of a cabinet shuffle, perhaps as early as next week.
Mr. Harper refused to answer questions about a possible shuffle yesterday - but neither did he jump to the defence of Mr. O'Connor.
GLORIA GALLOWAY AND INGRID PERITZ
June 23, 2007
OTTAWA and QUEBEC -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who once insisted that Canadian troops will stay in Afghanistan until the job is done, now says the military mission will end in February, 2009, unless the opposition agrees it should be extended.
The acceptance that the mission's lifespan may be limited comes as the Prime Minister faces growing opposition to Canada's combat role in the Afghan south - a decline in support that has been particularly pronounced in Quebec.
"This mission will end in February, 2009," Mr. Harper said yesterday at a rare House of Commons news conference held to mark the end of the spring sitting.
"Should Canada be involved militarily after that date, we have been clear that would have to be approved by the Canadian Parliament. From my personal perspective, I would want to see some degree of consensus around that. I don't want to send people into a mission if the opposition at home is going to undercut the dangerous work that they're doing in the field."
More National Stories
Troops won't stay unless all parties agree, PM says
It's dollars from doughnuts as doyen shares riches
Troops won't stay unless all parties agree, PM says
Public wants end to racing, but how?
YOUR WEEKEND HOROSCOPES
Fur flies in Canada over proposed U.S. hides ban
Go to the National section
getSLinks("topStoriesInSection","LAC.20070623.HARPERAFGHAN23",5);
Mr. Harper made the comment on the day Quebec-based troops gathered for a public send off in Quebec City amid planned protests and high levels of public opposition to the mission.
Some soldiers from Canadian Forces Base Valcartier near Quebec City said they regularly have to explain the purpose of their mission to friends and loved ones, who often confuse the Afghan mission with U.S.-led military operations in Iraq.
"Not many people are quite sure what we're doing there; it's far away, and I always have to explain it to them," said Private Jonathan Poirier, 22, one of hundreds of troops in sand-coloured fatigues at the Quebec City Convention Centre. "But I'm living my dream, and I believe in what we're doing."
Mr. Harper said he believes the opposition leaders, particularly Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion and Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe, are open to some form of development role being played by Canada when the soldiers return home.
"I don't think they are suggesting, based on recent comments, that we would simply abandon Afghanistan in 2009," he said, "so I hope that some time in the next few months we will be able to get a meeting of the minds on what the appropriate next steps are."
A month ago in Afghanistan, Mr. Harper told members of the Canadian Forces that Canada "can't set arbitrary deadlines and hope for the best. ... We can't just put down our weapons and hope for peace."
And in September of last year, he said the only exit strategy from Afghanistan would be success. "There will be no other conditions under which this government leaves Afghanistan," he said. "We will succeed in our security mission and we will see that country moving in irreversible progress to being an economically prosperous and peaceful society. That is the only way this government will leave."
But, with the Canadian military death toll now at 60, support for the effort is waning. A poll conducted this month by Decima research suggested that two-thirds of Canadians wanted the troops to come home when the current mandate expires in February, 2009.
Opposition to the war is highest in Quebec. Anti-war groups threatened to mar a night-time parade of the 2,000 soldiers from the Royal 22nd Regiment, or Vandoos, who are shipping out to Kandahar beginning next month.
The war opponents say they aren't targeting soldiers personally, but insist the Afghan mission is being imposed on the province against Quebeckers' will.
"We respect the soldiers but we don't support them," said Mathilde Forest-Rivière of the War on War coalition. "We don't support the deployment of troops to Afghanistan, and these soldiers aren't innocent."
A ceremony at the convention centre to mark the troops' imminent departure brought together officials such as Mr. Dion, Roméo Dallaire, General Rick Hillier and Quebec Premier Jean Charest.
Afterward, in an apparent bid to thwart protesters, the army set off from the convention centre for the parade in the opposite direction of their announced route. Outside, they were greeted by cheers, not jeers, from hundreds of onlookers.
Thousands of well-wishers lined the parade route, applauding the troops as they marched past under police guard. But the soldiers were greeted at the end of the route around the convention centre by a swarm of protesters, some wearing masks, shouting anti-war slogans and urging the troops to desert.
Against this uneasy backdrop, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's top official travelled to Quebec City yesterday and exhorted Quebec-based soldiers to recall the tradition and reputation of the fabled Vandoos as they head off to combat.
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, standing before the Vandoos's red-coated honour guard in Quebec City's historic Citadel, told the soldiers they were fighting to preserve universal values.
"I can tell you it's a good cause, it's an essential cause," he said in French. Mr. de Hoop Scheffer said he wanted to travel to Quebec and address Quebeckers "in their mother tongue" to drive home the importance of the mission.
"I think the participation of Canadians is essential," he told a press conference, explaining that rebuilding the country without combat is impossible.
"Development and reconstruction in Afghanistan is not possible without the creation of a climate of security and stability," he said. "So, unfortunately, we are fighting ... we have to fight."
Senior military staff in Quebec said the controversial night-time march through the streets of Quebec City, depicted by some as a public-relations manoeuvre, was intended to rally public support for the troops.
"It's important as they leave [for Afghanistan] that they know they have the city and the province of Quebec behind them," said Brigadier-General Christian Barabé, commander of Land Force Quebec Area. "That way, when they suffer a tough blow, they'll know that people will be there with them and supporting the sacrifice they're making."
Last night, Mr. Charest urged Quebeckers, as they celebrate their identity and pride this weekend for the St. Jean Baptiste national holiday, to recall how previous generations fought for freedom. The Premier noted it was the largest deployment of Quebec troops since the Korean War.
The Conservatives must pick up seats in Quebec if they are to win a majority government. And the negative feelings being expressed about the mission in that province could well intensify if members of the Royal 22nd Regiment sustain heavy casualties.
There is talk in Ottawa - in both Liberal and Conservative circles - that the mission's importance has not been adequately articulated. That would suggest that Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor has not been doing an adequate job of communications and there is much speculation that he will be the victim of a cabinet shuffle, perhaps as early as next week.
Mr. Harper refused to answer questions about a possible shuffle yesterday - but neither did he jump to the defence of Mr. O'Connor.
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