|
NDP Leader Jack Layton Speaks Out Against Canadian Troop Escalation Plans in Afghanistan |
|
|
|
Written by Staff
|
|
Thursday, 08 December 2005 |
At least one national party leader is speaking out against the news earlier today that NATO foreign ministers had approved plans to escalate troop numbers in southern Afghanistan to 6,000 beginning mid-2006. NDP Leader Jack Layton in a statement released today in Dartmouth, NS said:
"In Brussels earlier today, foreign ministers from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries agreed to expand the presence of the alliance's troops in Afghanistan. NATO proposes to deploy some 6,000 additional troops to the south of the country."
"Media are widely reporting that Canadian troops may be part of this escalation. The New Democratic Party opposes sending more Canadian troops to Afghanistan at this time."
"We appear to be drifting from our original mission there – which was to provide security in the capital region – and into a combat role side-by-side with American troops. We must not drift into a war blindly or secretly, on the say-so of one man – Mr. Martin."
"If Paul Martin wants to involve Canada directly in a war in Afghanistan, then he must spell out what our goals are, what our commitments will be, and when and how we will get out. We then require a real national debate, and a clear democratic decision taken by Parliament."
Southern Afghanistan is considered one of the most dangerous part of that country and next year's military expansion will enlarge NATO's presence to about 16,000 troops with personnel being deployed from Canada, Britain, the Netherlands and the United States.
The planned troop escalation is considered necessary in order to free up U.S. forces allowing them to fully concentrate on operations against Taliban and al-Qaida fighters in various parts of Afghanistan.
The plans according to a CTV report, "give the NATO troops a stronger self-defence mandate, guarantee support from U.S. combat troops if they face a serious attack and set out rules for handling detainees - all issues that have concerned some European allies mulling participation in the expanded force."
Canada currently has approximately 2,000 troops based in the Kandahar region of Afghanistan.
|
