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Press Releases: Replace US troops in Afghanistan says Green PartyPosted on Tuesday, August 16 @ 12:00:00 CDT by capebretoner
2005-08-12
"Given the long and troubled history of superpower intervention in Afghanistan, and the recurring pattern of growing patriotic resistance, a strategic change in UN troop composition after the September elections would be politically prudent" said Walton.
(Kingston, Ontario, 12 August 2005) -- The Green Party of Canada is calling for a measured but complete withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and their replacement with specialized troops from nations not fighting in Iraq, announced Green Party Foreign Affairs critic Eric Walton today.
"Given the long and troubled history of superpower intervention in Afghanistan, and the recurring pattern of growing patriotic resistance, a strategic change in UN troop composition after the September elections would be politically prudent" said Walton.
The US has between 14,000 to 18,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of the UN approved NATO mission, compared to 8,000 troops from other countries. Canada is in the process of deploying an additional 1,250 troops to the Kandahar region of southern Afghanistan to operate as Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRK's). These multi-disciplinary teams (Diplomacy, Defence, and Development) will seek to extend the authority of the central Afghanistan government into a region controlled by Taliban fighters and Afghan warlords.
The Green Party Foreign Affairs Critic is also calling for a more visible role from Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew in establishing the appropriate international profile for the enhanced Canadian involvement in Afghanistan. "Minister Pettigrew through the Department of Foreign Affairs should be establishing the term and terms of engagement in Afghanistan, and not, senior military officials through random media interviews." said Mr Walton.
The Green Party has a comprehensive international program with a priority on real security through peace-building, advancement of basic human rights, and environmental protection. The Party will again be running candidates in every electoral district in the upcoming federal election.
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