harper considers afghanistan

which direction will our forgein policy take us, and our involvement from more traditional rolls from peacekeeping to active war; and who do we take our directives from?

Harper considering Afghanistan for first prime ministerial trip
Fri Feb 17

OTTAWA (CP) - Stephen Harper is considering one of the most chaotic corners of Afghanistan as a preferred destination for his first prime ministerial foreign trip. ... In a post-election briefing with top military brass, Harper was urged to visit Canadian troops stationed in the southern Afghan city.

The prime minister was told that such a visit would send a strong message about his commitment to the military, and about Canada's desire to make a difference in the world. ... Another official said he found it significant that the one foreign country Harper mentioned in his Jan. 23 victory speech was Afghanistan - not the U.S. or any other European ally. ...

"Canada may not be a superpower - but we stand for higher values to which all peoples aspire," Harper told the audience.

"And it is important that our actions as Canadians promote these values in all corners of the Earth." He cited freedom, democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and compassion for the less fortunate as core values Canada can export. Afghanistan and Haiti are at the front lines of Canada's democracy-building efforts. ...

In Kandahar, Canada's military presence is being increased to 2,200 this month in an effort to improve security in the longstanding Taliban stronghold. The posting is considered far more dangerous than Canada's earlier mission to the capital Kabul. ...
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