Text fwd: Canadian, US Defense Chiefs Plot Expanded South Asia War

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato/message/37728

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53361
U.S. Department of Defense
American Forces Press Service
March 6, 2009

U.S., Canadian Defense Leaders Meet in Washington, Discuss Afghanistan
By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden

-“We’ve had very good interaction,” MacKay said. “[Canada] has
experience in Pakistan as well, in addition to what we're doing in Afghanistan.
I think Canadians recognize, as do others, that this review helps put in context
the regional challenges - that this obviously goes beyond any one country.”
-“We're watching, of course, very closely what's developing inside
Pakistan,” MacKay said.



WASHINGTON – As the Obama administration continues its comprehensive review of
the Afghanistan strategy, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Canadian Defense
Minister Peter MacKay met here yesterday to discuss the allies’ commitments in
the NATO effort.

Gates said the United States welcomes its partners’ ideas in putting the final
plan to work.

“The review is a work in progress … we are still eagerly soliciting ideas
from our allies and friends....” Gates told reporters at news conference from
the steps of the Pentagon....

Gates and MacKay spoke with reporters following their first bilateral meeting
here under the new administration.

The defense leaders discussed the way forward in Afghanistan from a Canadian
perspective, and what Canada might add to the Afghanistan review, MacKay said.
The American ally has expertise from its experiences in the southwest Asia
region.

“We’ve had very good interaction,” MacKay said. “[Canada] has experience
in Pakistan as well, in addition to what we're doing in Afghanistan. I think
Canadians recognize, as do others, that this review helps put in context the
regional challenges - that this obviously goes beyond any one country.”

The work NATO has done to build capacity in Afghanistan’s government and
military shouldn’t be overshadowed by similar needs in Pakistan, MacKay said.
Pakistan is a country that “you absolutely have to include on the way forward
and on the plans that will eventually lead to improved status for both
countries,” he added.

“We're watching, of course, very closely what's developing inside Pakistan,”
MacKay said. “And I expect that this review, upon completion, will be very
important - not a restart, but a continuation of the ongoing strategy.”

Despite recent reports that Canada’s mission in Afghanistan would end in
February 2011, MacKay said that’s not exactly true. Canada’s parliament
motioned to end combat operations, but the NATO mission in Afghanistan will need
additional assistance, such as civilian-operated provincial reconstruction teams
to build government and economic capacity, he said.

“We will absolutely be in Afghanistan performing important tasks,” he
said....

MacKay also expressed his gratitude for the condolences Gates offered for the
three Canadian soldiers killed by a roadside bomb March 4 in Afghanistan. A
total of 111 Canadian soldiers have been killed there since 2002.
....
Canadian forces have been operating in Afghanistan since January 2002, but their
presence didn’t mature until spring 2006 when their task force grew to more
than 2,500 troops and assumed greater responsibilities in southern Afghanistan.
Canadian commanders share a six-month rotation cycle with Great Britain and the
Netherlands for command responsibilities in Kandahar province.
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