Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Monday he "broadly" supports recommendations by John Manley's panel on the Afghanistan mission that call for Canada's military to remain in the region beyond February 2009 only if more NATO troops and equipment are provided.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Monday repeated that the House will vote on the Afghanistan issue this spring.
(Tom Hanson/Canadian Press) "The government accepts the panel's specific recommendation of extending Canada's mission in Afghanistan if, and I must emphasize if, certain conditions are met," Harper said.
"That is the securing of partners in Kandahar province with additional combat troops and equipment capabilities."
If the conditions are met sometime this spring Harper will ask Parliament to approve continuing the combat mission in Kandahar beyond February 2009. But that won't pass without Liberal support and now puts pressure on Dion to to join the Prime Minister in presenting a united front at the April NATO meeting in Bucharest.
It puts the Liberal leader in a tough posistion with risks and rewards in whatever decion he comes to.
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What do you think the Liberals should or will do in regards to extending the Kandahar mission?
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(Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)
"That is the securing of partners in Kandahar province with additional combat troops and equipment capabilities."
If the conditions are met sometime this spring Harper will ask Parliament to approve continuing the combat mission in Kandahar beyond February 2009. But that won't pass without Liberal support and now puts pressure on Dion to to join the Prime Minister in presenting a united front at the April NATO meeting in Bucharest.
It puts the Liberal leader in a tough posistion with risks and rewards in whatever decion he comes to.
Full story
What do you think the Liberals should or will do in regards to extending the Kandahar mission?
More...