Email from Jack Layton

to Rambling Socialist

Thank for your previous email about Canada's involvement in Afghanistan.

First, I want to say that I share the deep sadness of all Canadians on theloss of our Canadian soldiers who bravely answered the call of duty. It is agrim reminder of the courage of our nation's fine soldiers and the dangers they face on a daily basis.

This week the Liberal Party proposed a motion that would effectively keep Canadian troops in combat until February 2009.
The NDP opposes this motion.Why? Because it prolongs a George Bush style combat mission in Afghanistan.
Under Stephane Dion`s leadership, the Liberals continue to flip-flop and fail to understand fully the critical issues facing the war-torn country of Afghanistan. A year ago the Liberals were divided on a vote to extend the mission. Liberal deputy leader Michael Ignatieff voted for the Harper government's decision to extend the mission to 2009 while their Defence critic Denis Coderre voted against it.
Now, with their own motion, the Liberals are - endorsing the two year extension - of the mission and the Conservative's game plan for Afghanistan.

In contrast, the NDP position on the combat mission in Afghanistan is crystal clear. We have consistently called for the withdrawal of troops from the combat mission. It is a Bush style counter-insurgency mission not leading to lasting peace and better living conditions. It is unbalanced and overwhelmingly focused on aggressive counter-insurgency. The humanitarian situation is simply not improving and the effort cannot be won militarily.

In an effort to try to find common ground, I proposed an amendment to the Liberal motion. The amendment called on the government to immediately begin to withdraw Canadian Forces in a safe and secure manner from the counter-insurgency mission in Afghanistan and call upon the government to notify NATO of this decision. Sadly, the Liberals rejected my amendment and instead choose to continue to support the Harper Conservative strategy to stay in southern Afghanistan for two more years.
New Democrats feel that Canada must demonstrate leadership and try to find practical solutions. For more information on how Canada can provide leadership, please read the full text of a recent speech I gave on this very issue at: http://www.ndp.ca/page/5023.
Once again, I thank you for the opportunity to present the New Democratic Party's position on the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.

Sincerely,
Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)