12 October 2007
Ottawa, OntarioPLEASE CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
Good morning ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you for joining us for an important announcement regarding Canada's mission in Afghanistan.
As I have long said, our government believes that military deployments abroad should be subject to parliamentary approval.
That's why, last year, we put the extension of our military commitment to Afghanistan to a parliamentary vote.
A majority of MPs in the House of Commons agreed to extend the mission through February 2009.
That mandate ends roughly 16 months from now, and as we move toward a decision on Canada's role beyond February 2009, our government wants a full, open and informed debate about our options.
Given what's at stake – both for our troops and for the Afghan people – we also want the debate to be as non-partisan as possible.
To that end, today I am pleased to announce the formation of an independent panel of eminent Canadians who will consider our options and provide expert non-partisan advice that will help parliamentarians make our decision.
The panel will be chaired by the Honourable John Manley, Canada's former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
His panel will consist of:
Derek Burney, former Canadian Ambassador to the United States;
Former Canadian Consul General in New York City, Pamela Wallin;
The distinguished Montreal business executive as well as a former Clerk of the Privy Council, Paul Tellier; and
The Honourable Jake Epp, former federal Cabinet Minister and current chair of Health Partners International, a non-profit organization that is providing medical aid to Afghanistan
I want to thank all these people for agreeing to take on this important task.
Collectively, they represent a wealth of experience in foreign affairs, and each has demonstrated his or her commitment to Canada through years of public service.
I have asked the panel to examine four main options for the future of the Afghanistan mission, although they may consider others.
Option one is to continue training the Afghan army and police with the goal of creating self-sufficient indigenous security forces in Kandahar province so Canadian troops can start withdrawing in February 2009.
Option two is to focus on reconstruction in Kandahar, which would require some other country or countries to take over our security role.
Option three is to shift Canadian security and reconstruction efforts to another region of Afghanistan.
And option four is to withdraw all Canadian military forces after February 2009 except a small contingent to provide security for our remaining aid workers and diplomats.
As the panel considers these options, I have asked them to keep the following considerations in mind.
Whatever future path we choose in Afghanistan, it must respect the sacrifices Canadians have made there.
We have made considerable progress in improving the lives of the Afghan people, at great expense to our troops and our treasury.
We must also be cognizant of the risk of a return to chaos in Afghanistan, and of the potential regional and international implications.
We must also bear in mind our obligations to the United Nations and our NATO allies.
And, of course, whatever direction we choose, it must consider the implications for Canada's international reputation.
I appreciate, John, that we are asking a lot of you, but I have every confidence you will examine the issues honestly, fairly and expertly, and that your wise counsel will help parliamentarians choose the right course.
We look forward to receiving your report by the end of January 2008.
On behalf of the government, and of Canadians, thank you all once again.
And now over to you, John.
