Canadians hand reins to Dutch in Afghanistan
Sue Bailey, Canadian Press
Published: Sunday, October 29, 2006 KANDAHAR, Afghanistan --
After more than eight months in the kind of high-stress zone that tries tough souls, Canadian Brig.-Gen. David Fraser is about to hand over command in southern Afghanistan.
It's a rotational change of guard Wednesday that will see Dutch Maj.-Gen. Ton Van Loon take over as NATO leader in the South.
Fraser will soon head home to Edmonton and his wife Poppie, their two sons and an aging Akita dog named Seiko.
"This environment is more dangerous than I've ever seen anywhere else in the world," he said in a parting interview with The Canadian Press.
"Over here, everybody is a target. The Taliban respects nobody. A reporter, the International Committee of the Red Cross, UN, military, Afghan. Everybody is an equal target of opportunity for them."
From Cyprus to the height of Bosnia's ugly civil war, Fraser has seen nothing in 26 years and seven missions that equals southern Afghanistan.
Still, he thinks the situation in Kandahar is misconstrued.
"Security is probably the most over-used, ill-defined word in the lexicon in this country.
"There's tens and hundreds of thousands of people going about living their lives downtown. And that place is just bustling," he said of the ramshackle sprawl of vegetable vendors and low-rise buildings near the main military base at Kandahar Airfield.
"Suicide attacks are a concern," he says. "The Taliban have gone and demonstrated complete disregard for attacking the people. Because what they're attacking is success."
Few women are seen on Kandahar streets even in full veils, and local Afghans who welcome foreigners describe growing intimidation and fear.
"I don't agree with that assessment," Fraser says. "A lot of those people don't get out of their houses. What they have is a perception. Eight months ago, Kandahar city wasn't as busy as it is now.
"
You've got to put it into context."
Forty-two Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have died in Afghanistan since 2002. Since March, Fraser has watched 34 times as members of his military family were honoured and sent home in caskets.
There's no shortage of debate -- some of it stingingly critical -- about mounting troop and civilian death tolls, the slow pace of reconstruction and the prospects of success against those who would revert Afghanistan to a repressive terrorist incubator.
Fraser's optimism is steadfast.
Afghan police and security forces are being built from nothing, he says.
Several provincial governors have restored enough law and order to move on to budgets, education "and other issues that any governor or provincial premier would have to deal with."
North Atlantic Treaty Organization troops are advancing into parts of the country that were virtual no-go zones even a year ago, he says. The list includes Spin Boldak, a notoriously cut-throat border conduit for smugglers, mercenaries and suicide bombers who move from Pakistan into Afghanistan all but unimpeded.
"We are making progress," Fraser says. "That's a good news story. That's an expansion of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's footprint."
Holding that ground ultimately depends on whether military leaders can help deliver enough locally driven development. How better to convince Afghans to shun a growing anti-government insurgency than to offer new health clinics, schools and credit for new businesses?
Too many Afghans, though, are still waiting five years after a resurgent Taliban was defeated. It doesn't help that many people have lost faith in a widely corrupt Afghan government that doubles as a bastion for former warlords accused of vicious abuses.
Further complicating Canada's aid efforts is the refusal of several international agencies to work in the South. CARE and World Vision are among those who say the military's foray into road building, well digging and school projects has blurred the line between unarmed aid workers and combat troops.
They want soldiers to stick with security.
Fraser calls that "Old Think."
"
The new reality is we're all working complementary to each other in an environment that is dangerous.
"These people deserve nothing less than our international community's 100-per-cent commitment to provide them hope and opportunity in a safe environment.
"It's worth it," he says. "And this is do-able. But it comes at a cost."
© Canadian Press 2006
