About the mission: Canada's role in Afghanistan

Since the attacks on United States soil on september 11th of 2001, an American-lead alliance including Canada has been deployed in Afghanistan. The initial reasons for our participation were protecting our own national interests, assuming a role of leadership in international affairs and helping Afghanistan rebuild after decades of mayhem. However, the reason for the coalition's creation was to overthrow the Taliban, who are supporters of international terrorism, notably al-qaeda, who is responsible for the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks. From late 2001 to 2003, the Canadians' role was mainly to assist the Americans in patrol and anti-insurgency missions. In 2003, they took command of the new task force in charge of Kabul, the capital city. This operation ended in 2005, when it was determined that the democratic process in Afghanistan had been renewed and was on the right track. Following this, it was decided that Canada would take on a larger role in combatting Taliban insurgents in the volatile province of Kandahar. Since then, we have suffered almost 150 deaths and by 2011, the year we will be pulling out, this war will have cost Canadian taxpayers CAD $18,5 billion. Our current objectives using our aproximately 3000 soldiers stationed in Afghanistan and our financial and humanitarian support are, first and foremost stability, which englobes the training of Afghan forces, the purging of corruption and reducing the large scale production of opium by, in part, trading wheat for opium poppies. In additon, we are trying to sustain development in the country by building, offering services to the population, including its refugees, and providing employment opportunities. Finally, security remains one of our top priorities. This aspect encompasses combatting insurgents and terrorism and destroying their strongholds, and establishing intelligence agencies to monitor the hostiles trying to takeover the region. Today, there is large and fierce opposition to the presence of Canada and its alliance in Afghanistan, but our government has decided to stay until the end of 2011, providing financial and military assistance through federal funds and our current 2900 soldiers risking their lives for the continued pursuit of democracy.







Reference:





1.http://www.afghanistan.gc.ca/canada-afghanistan/splash.aspx