Canadian Troop Presence to Continue in Afghanistan;

No Troops to Iraq

At the opening of the Canadian Embassy in Kabul last week, Foreign Minister Bill Graham stated that Canada has no plans to send troops to Iraq, even under a possible new United Nations mandate, due to its continued commitment of troops to Afghanistan, the Balkans and elsewhere. Canada's involvement in Iraq, he said, would take the form of "development assistance", the euphemism for Canadian companies securing a share of the lucrative reconstruction contracts, and possibly police training for Iraqi forces.

Graham said that Canadian troops, with a current deployment of 2,000, would remain in Afghanistan for only one more year. He did not rule out the possibility of a quasi-military presence beyond that term in the form of reconstruction teams. These could include soldiers whose presence would be required to protect the foreign civilians involved in the reconstruction projects. Currently, Britain and Germany, along with the U.S., have such teams in place in outlying provinces where resistance to the U.S.-installed Karzai government is strong.

Afghanistan remains Canada's largest "aid" commitment in the world, with $250 million budgeted until 2004. Specific targets of the money include disarming militias, running elections in June 2004, and removing land mines.

Graham is also visiting Pakistan where he will register Canada's objection to Taliban supporters crossing the Pakistani border to attack Afghan and international troops. Claims of frequent border crossings, however, have been disputed by Major-General Andrew Leslie, Canada's top soldier in Afghanistan and the deputy commander of the NATO-led forces. He said many of these reports are hoaxes, with informers saying whatever people want to hear in order to get paid. Major-General Leslie also stated last week that Canadian troops will continue to engage in reconnaissance missions in the mountains surrounding Kabul where Afghan resistance is expected to grow.

Canada's continued presence in Afghanistan and its pledge to increase its non-military presence in and financial contributions to Iraq have been warmly received by the United States. U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Paul Cellucci, who has been critical of Canada's efforts in the past, said last week that Canada has now "stepped up to the plate." These new initiatives have allowed the Canadian government to "save face" with the U.S. While not sending troops to Iraq, and facing potential opposition at home, it is assisting the Americans in the other front of their "war on terror".