Canada may send troops to Kandahar

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:28:49

Canada has volunteered to play a greater leading role in the volatile Afghan province of Kandahar by stationing more troops there. John Manley, chair of the Afghan study panel, told Montreal newspaper Le Devoir that British soldiers were originally to deploy in the provinces of Kandahar and neighboring Helmand. Manley, the former Liberal foreign affairs minister said Canada insists on taking the reins of security in the unstable province which was accepted by NATO. Fellow panel member Paul Tellier told the newspaper that NATO allies suggested Canada take on a security role in a safer province. However, Manley stresses that Canada should not leave Kandahar until the Afghan army is ready to operate independently. Many Canadian citizens are concerned that the army may never be ready to maintain security and that current instability in Pakistan may affect Afghanistan adversely. They are also concerned about the period of time Canada will have to commit troops to the region.