(No. 367 - December 1, 2009 - 9:20 p.m. EST) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement concerning the United States’ announcement of measures to reinforce its engagement in Afghanistan, including the deployment of additional military and civilian resources:
“Canada welcomes the additional military and civilian resources the United States will deploy to Afghanistan, particularly to the south. Additional U.S. resources will help to provide a more secure environment for the Afghan people.
“The excellent cooperation that our military and civilians enjoy with the U.S. in Kandahar will certainly be strengthened when additional U.S. resources are deployed. This will allow Canada to further concentrate its efforts on its six priorities and three signature projects, including Canada’s vital work to increase the capability of the Afghan National Security Forces and place responsibility for security back in the hands of Afghans.
“We are pleased that the objectives of the U.S. policy are complementary to Canada’s own priorities. Canada has a significant civilian contingent on the ground in Afghanistan working alongside their military colleagues to ensure our programs and policies are helping the Afghan government to build a stable, democratic and self-sufficient society.
“We look forward to furthering our collaboration with the U.S. in order to reach our ultimate and common goal of leaving Afghans an Afghanistan that is better governed, more peaceful and more secure.”
For more information, please visit Canada’s Engagement in Afghanistan.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
