Saturday, December 30, 2006
“Their Courage and Commitment”
There was very little that was as important to him. In a year end message to Canadians Prime Minister Harper tells us that, “for me, the highlight of 2006 was visiting our troops, diplomats and aide workers in Afghanistan…We should be very proud of... their courage and commitment, of their skill and professionalism. Through their selfless acts, these brave men and women are protecting our security interests and making a real difference in the lives of the long-suffering Afghan people.” Governor General Michaelle Jean, in her remarks said, “My thoughts are especially with our soldiers in Afghanistan and their loved ones who have endured great hardship. Indeed, they are making great sacrifices” [observations by Harper and Jean cited in Terry Pedwell’s ‘Afghanistan Prominent in PM, G-G Messages,’ CP, 29 December 2006. Story posted at http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics/story.html?id=b9e22b44-8d84-48a8-ba41-538ee9b8b7a5&k=62978].
In Afghanistan itself, NATO’s Operation Baaz Tsuka, slated to have been wrapped up before Christmas, goes on. So far, there has been little Taliban resistance, but that may change in coming days. There may be fighting, perhaps serious. According to one account from earlier this week, “the NATO-led offensive is expected to intensify this week as soldiers continue to sweep the area of the former Taliban stronghold area…The National Post reported that troops involved in Baaz Tsuka were still in the thick of things when they paused for Christmas dinner - served by Canadian General Rick Hiller and comedian Rick Mercer” [Danielle Godard’s ‘Canada: Afghanistan Mission ‘Will Intensify’,’ AHN, 26 December 2006. Story posted at http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7005961738].
PM Harper, at least once this past week, confessed “to just love the job” in government. How long he gets to stay in office, some analysts suggest, may depend mostly if not entirely on his handling of two policies: That is “While public policy experts and kitchen-table pundits can argue over the merits of Conservative policy on income trusts, Quebec nationhood, Senate reform and targeted program cuts, early indications suggest it’s a pair of big, intractable issues - Afghanistan and the environment - that could dominate the coming year and make life miserable for whoever is at the wheel” [from Bruce Cheadle’s ‘Environment, Afghanistan Could be Biggest Challenge for Harper in 2007,’ CP, 30 December 2006. Story posted at http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=63c818e5-eacc-4d76-ab8a-c2ea9f36a44e&k=40634].
Almost certainly Afghanistan will make life difficult for anyone in office for most of 2007. Yet will this issue really have a decisive impact during the upcoming campaign? In some ways the recent reactions of the opposition may prove a windfall for Harper. Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe, just weeks ago, threatened to introduce a no confidence motion because of the Tories’ handling of the war in Central Asia. Seemingly in no time did he back away from the threat of bringing down the government over Afghanistan, and found himself explaining that in fact his position had been either misunderstood or misrepresented [See Duceppe Interview on Question Period, CTV, 24 December 2006]. And for his part, Liberal leader Stephane Dion has already said restrictions should be placed on how Afghanistan might be treated during the campaign. In fact, he specified it should not be a major issue, stating, “It is certainly something we need to discuss. Today the country was receiving half of our international aid, almost, and we have a lot of soldiers risking their lives, and we need to be sure that the mission is well designed. But again I think the main focus of the campaign should be how to strengthen our economy, how to become competitive in this very difficult world.” As one account of his remarks observes, it does seem to be the case Dion “doesn’t believe Canadians should go to the polls solely over Canada’s role in Afghanistan and said it won't likely be a top issue during a campaign” [This observation and Dion’s remarks from the 24 December 2006 Question Period interview cited in CTV News, 24 December 2006. Story posted at http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061224/opposition_leaders_061224/20061224?hub=Qperiod]. Will Harper place any restrictions on himself should Afghanistan surface, or can and might he somehow opt to define it as a major campaign issue?
Posted by Stan Markotich
Send comments to stanmarkotich@yahoo.com ¶ 12:05 PM
There was very little that was as important to him. In a year end message to Canadians Prime Minister Harper tells us that, “for me, the highlight of 2006 was visiting our troops, diplomats and aide workers in Afghanistan…We should be very proud of... their courage and commitment, of their skill and professionalism. Through their selfless acts, these brave men and women are protecting our security interests and making a real difference in the lives of the long-suffering Afghan people.” Governor General Michaelle Jean, in her remarks said, “My thoughts are especially with our soldiers in Afghanistan and their loved ones who have endured great hardship. Indeed, they are making great sacrifices” [observations by Harper and Jean cited in Terry Pedwell’s ‘Afghanistan Prominent in PM, G-G Messages,’ CP, 29 December 2006. Story posted at http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics/story.html?id=b9e22b44-8d84-48a8-ba41-538ee9b8b7a5&k=62978].
In Afghanistan itself, NATO’s Operation Baaz Tsuka, slated to have been wrapped up before Christmas, goes on. So far, there has been little Taliban resistance, but that may change in coming days. There may be fighting, perhaps serious. According to one account from earlier this week, “the NATO-led offensive is expected to intensify this week as soldiers continue to sweep the area of the former Taliban stronghold area…The National Post reported that troops involved in Baaz Tsuka were still in the thick of things when they paused for Christmas dinner - served by Canadian General Rick Hiller and comedian Rick Mercer” [Danielle Godard’s ‘Canada: Afghanistan Mission ‘Will Intensify’,’ AHN, 26 December 2006. Story posted at http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7005961738].
PM Harper, at least once this past week, confessed “to just love the job” in government. How long he gets to stay in office, some analysts suggest, may depend mostly if not entirely on his handling of two policies: That is “While public policy experts and kitchen-table pundits can argue over the merits of Conservative policy on income trusts, Quebec nationhood, Senate reform and targeted program cuts, early indications suggest it’s a pair of big, intractable issues - Afghanistan and the environment - that could dominate the coming year and make life miserable for whoever is at the wheel” [from Bruce Cheadle’s ‘Environment, Afghanistan Could be Biggest Challenge for Harper in 2007,’ CP, 30 December 2006. Story posted at http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=63c818e5-eacc-4d76-ab8a-c2ea9f36a44e&k=40634].
Almost certainly Afghanistan will make life difficult for anyone in office for most of 2007. Yet will this issue really have a decisive impact during the upcoming campaign? In some ways the recent reactions of the opposition may prove a windfall for Harper. Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe, just weeks ago, threatened to introduce a no confidence motion because of the Tories’ handling of the war in Central Asia. Seemingly in no time did he back away from the threat of bringing down the government over Afghanistan, and found himself explaining that in fact his position had been either misunderstood or misrepresented [See Duceppe Interview on Question Period, CTV, 24 December 2006]. And for his part, Liberal leader Stephane Dion has already said restrictions should be placed on how Afghanistan might be treated during the campaign. In fact, he specified it should not be a major issue, stating, “It is certainly something we need to discuss. Today the country was receiving half of our international aid, almost, and we have a lot of soldiers risking their lives, and we need to be sure that the mission is well designed. But again I think the main focus of the campaign should be how to strengthen our economy, how to become competitive in this very difficult world.” As one account of his remarks observes, it does seem to be the case Dion “doesn’t believe Canadians should go to the polls solely over Canada’s role in Afghanistan and said it won't likely be a top issue during a campaign” [This observation and Dion’s remarks from the 24 December 2006 Question Period interview cited in CTV News, 24 December 2006. Story posted at http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061224/opposition_leaders_061224/20061224?hub=Qperiod]. Will Harper place any restrictions on himself should Afghanistan surface, or can and might he somehow opt to define it as a major campaign issue?
Posted by Stan Markotich
Send comments to stanmarkotich@yahoo.com ¶ 12:05 PM
