Afghanistan is no longer a risk: Harper
'This country does not represent a geostrategic risk to the world. It is no longer a source of global terrorism'
Harper toured an area known as Tarnak Farms, once a hotbed of Taliban activity, but now filled with fields of wheat and barley. It was also the site in 2002 of Canada's first four casualties in Afghanistan in a friendly-fire incident.
Combat role set to end
Harper's visit to Afghanistan comes as Canada is in the midst of a transition from its combat mission to a training one. Canada's combat activity is due to end in July, when 950 soldiers will remain in the country to train Afghan military members.
It has not all been successes for Canada in Afghanistan. Sarposa prison, in which Canadians have invested millions of dollars, has twice been the scene of daring jailbreaks of Taliban prisoners. The paved road near the base at Sperwan Ghar that Harper visited Monday came under Taliban fire last week, during its official opening.
Still, Harper said much has been accomplished in Afghanistan during the past decade. "This country does not represent a geostrategic risk to the world. It is no longer a source of global terrorism," he said.
The Canadian training mission is already underway and is slated to run until 2014. By that time Harper and his NATO allies are optimistic the Afghan National Army will be ready to stand on its own.
Afghanistan is no longer a risk: Harper - Politics - CBC News
'This country does not represent a geostrategic risk to the world. It is no longer a source of global terrorism'
Harper toured an area known as Tarnak Farms, once a hotbed of Taliban activity, but now filled with fields of wheat and barley. It was also the site in 2002 of Canada's first four casualties in Afghanistan in a friendly-fire incident.
Combat role set to end
Harper's visit to Afghanistan comes as Canada is in the midst of a transition from its combat mission to a training one. Canada's combat activity is due to end in July, when 950 soldiers will remain in the country to train Afghan military members.
It has not all been successes for Canada in Afghanistan. Sarposa prison, in which Canadians have invested millions of dollars, has twice been the scene of daring jailbreaks of Taliban prisoners. The paved road near the base at Sperwan Ghar that Harper visited Monday came under Taliban fire last week, during its official opening.
Still, Harper said much has been accomplished in Afghanistan during the past decade. "This country does not represent a geostrategic risk to the world. It is no longer a source of global terrorism," he said.
The Canadian training mission is already underway and is slated to run until 2014. By that time Harper and his NATO allies are optimistic the Afghan National Army will be ready to stand on its own.
Afghanistan is no longer a risk: Harper - Politics - CBC News
