KABUL (CP) - Local shopkeepers and labourers repeated the pleas of President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday for Canada to remain committed to building democracy, despite the bloody conflict in southern Afghanistan.
"It's part of the humanity of Canadians that they sacrifice their lives for Afghanistan," Saed Qadir, a fruit vendor, said through a translator.
Qadir, whose dilapidated stand sits across the street from a sports stadium, said the sacrifice of 12 Canadian lives since 2002 has not gone unnoticed by ordinary Afghanis.
"As long as they help us, we pray for them because they're making our country secure," he said.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper wrapped up a surprise morale-boosting visit to the 2,200 Canadian troops in Afghanistan by meeting with Karzai on Tuesday.
While the president talked about the need to protect the country's fledgling democracy, Qadir and others said they are more concerned Canadians help restore the basics, starting with safety.
Until remnants of the old Taliban regime and other "terrorists are defeated the job is not done," said Zian ul-Aeideen, a carpenter whose shop overlooks the road where a Canadian soldier died in a suicide attack two years ago.
He said there is a real fear among people that Canada and Britain will follow the U.S. and reduce its troop strength in the region, leading to more chaos and instability.
"If you're on a mission, you have to complete it," ul-Aeideen said through a translator.
While most people who agreed to be interviewed were grateful for the military assistance, they also expressed impatience with Karzei, often labelled as a puppet of the U.S.
Economic and social change, particularly a better education system, are too slow in coming, they said.
"Beside bringing security and helping our military forces, Canada should help us in other fields," said Mohammed Sadeeq, including education.
http://start.shaw.ca/start/enCA/News/WorldNewsArticle.htm?src=w031433A.xml
Well I don't support some things the Conservatives have done either in America or in Canada but in this instance I agree with Canadians to remain to help the Afghan people.
"It's part of the humanity of Canadians that they sacrifice their lives for Afghanistan," Saed Qadir, a fruit vendor, said through a translator.
Qadir, whose dilapidated stand sits across the street from a sports stadium, said the sacrifice of 12 Canadian lives since 2002 has not gone unnoticed by ordinary Afghanis.
"As long as they help us, we pray for them because they're making our country secure," he said.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper wrapped up a surprise morale-boosting visit to the 2,200 Canadian troops in Afghanistan by meeting with Karzai on Tuesday.
While the president talked about the need to protect the country's fledgling democracy, Qadir and others said they are more concerned Canadians help restore the basics, starting with safety.
Until remnants of the old Taliban regime and other "terrorists are defeated the job is not done," said Zian ul-Aeideen, a carpenter whose shop overlooks the road where a Canadian soldier died in a suicide attack two years ago.
He said there is a real fear among people that Canada and Britain will follow the U.S. and reduce its troop strength in the region, leading to more chaos and instability.
"If you're on a mission, you have to complete it," ul-Aeideen said through a translator.
While most people who agreed to be interviewed were grateful for the military assistance, they also expressed impatience with Karzei, often labelled as a puppet of the U.S.
Economic and social change, particularly a better education system, are too slow in coming, they said.
"Beside bringing security and helping our military forces, Canada should help us in other fields," said Mohammed Sadeeq, including education.
http://start.shaw.ca/start/enCA/News/WorldNewsArticle.htm?src=w031433A.xml
Well I don't support some things the Conservatives have done either in America or in Canada but in this instance I agree with Canadians to remain to help the Afghan people.
