A question of protection in Afghanistan

[Coventina]

Source: The Globe and Mail

U.S. soldiers and private contractors are expected to provide security for Canadian development teams in Afghanistan after Canadian troops pull out, according to Ottawa's top envoy to Afghanistan.

"We know Canada will be in this country well beyond 2011," Ambassador Ron Hoffmann told reporters in a briefing yesterday. Soldiers or no soldiers, he said, a "robust" civilian contingent will remain on the ground.

Parliament has yet to provide any guidance on the Canadian mission beyond the military pullout scheduled two years hence. This has left diplomats struggling to figure out how to keep delivering aid amid an insurgency that's growing more dangerous.

Hundreds of Canadian Forces soldiers now guard dozens of Canadian government officials attached to Kandahar's Provincial Reconstruction Team. When these civilians venture outside protected bases, they usually do so in heavily armoured vehicles and escorted by soldiers carrying assault rifles.



Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/a-question-of-protection-in-afghanistan/article1156778/

[Mari333]

1. who is paying for the mercenaries

thats right, the US taxpayer. and now we get to pay for them to protect Canadian developers. wtf. really, wtf. and our soldiers have to be used for that also? reconstruction team? yes, as we go bankrupt here, lets be sure as our own infrastructure falls apart, we use our taxes to develop other fcking countries (after we occupy them and set up puppet govts.)
sounds like the good old USA MIlitary Empire is still running the show. using our money, of course.

[Bragi]

2. As a Canadian, I agree entirely

We've been 8 years in Afghanistan and the situation has steadily deteriorated. based on experience, I have every reason to think that Obama's escalation of this war will end badly for everyone.

The U.S and the entire NATO force should withdraw from that country now and leave it to the locals to sort out, with our financial support (which is owed, since we have destroyed much of their country).

If they can't sort it out, then neither can we.

- B