The great Afghanistan "debate"
Today is the day of the "great debate" on Canada's role in Afghanistan. As I've said before in these e-pages, I'd prefer the debate to have some meaning, but I'd be happy if it answered a few questions. Canadians might not understand that Afghanistan is not an isolated island in the middle of nowhere - it adjoins two geopolitically volatile countries - Pakistan and Iran. These are both Islamic nations and have at various times financed radical fundamentalists throughout the Middle East. In particular, Pakistan helped the CIA finance and organize the mujahadeen resistance, and likely has continued interest in perpetuating an Islamist government in Afghanistan.
Our involvement here is not trivial, nor inconsequential. Before giving our unqualified assent to extending this mission, we should be able to answer these very basic questions
Our involvement here is not trivial, nor inconsequential. Before giving our unqualified assent to extending this mission, we should be able to answer these very basic questions
- What is NATO's overall strategy (without details, naturally) for defeating the growing Taliban threat? What is the expected manpower requirements for this and roughly what is expected of Canada?
- Put in writing the goals of the mission. Simply for clarity.
- If larger troop counts are requested in the future, will Parliament be asked to vote on continued Canadian involvement?
- Is there a plan to reduce the influence of Pakistani militants in the country?
- What type of government are we interested in fertilizing? Are we willing to accept stability at any cost?
- Knowing that one of the primary reasons Afghanistan is the disaster that it is was the withdrawal of Soviet and American control, interest, and money, at the end of the war in '87-'88. Is there a plan to garrison Afghanistan should the need arise, and if so, what are the projected costs for Canada in manpower and dollars?
- Afghanistan already receives more foreign aid from Canada than any other country. Canada has reneged on promises to increase foreign aid to 0.7% GDP and the Martin government refused to create a timetable for attaining this number. Knowing that the development of civilian infrastructure in Afghanistan is critical, is the Harper government prepared to increase foreign aid to Afghanistan? If so, is it also prepared to increase the amount of money that Canada provides to foreign aid generally, or does that money come from somewhere else in foreign aid budget?
I have many more questions, but these would suffice for now. If anyone would like to add any, we can compile a list and approach our elected officials in the future when meaningful discussion of this mission begins.
Thoughts?
