(No. 250 - August 9, 2010 - 9:40 a.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the appointment of Tim Martin as the new Representative of Canada in Kandahar (RoCK). Mr. Martin succeeds Ben Rowswell, who held the position since September 2009.
“Mr. Martin assumes a very important role for Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan, as governance and development support in Kandahar remain areas of priority for our mission,” said Minister Cannon. “His predecessor, Mr. Rowswell, played an integral part in helping to advance Canada’s priorities and signature projects in the province of Kandahar and in facilitating positive dialogue between Afghans and Canadians. I am confident Mr. Martin will continue to advance this relationship.”
The Representative of Canada in Kandahar is Canada’s senior-most civilian representative in Kandahar province. Located at the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (KPRT), which is part of Camp Nathan Smith, the RoCK reports to Canada’s Ambassador to Afghanistan and serves as the principal interlocutor with provincial officials, international institutions, non-governmental organizations and military partners in Kandahar. The RoCK also provides strategic guidance to Canada’s team of diplomats, development officers, and police and corrections officials working in partnership with the Canadian Forces.
Earlier this year, the KPRT transitioned from a military-led to a civilian-led effort, integrating Canadian and U.S. civilians and focusing on the areas of governance, reconstruction and development.
Mr. Martin takes over this newly restructured KPRT with a view to continuing Canada’s whole-of-government civilian engagement. The RoCK’s role at the KPRT ensures maximum coordination at the implementation level—combining the expertise of diplomats, corrections experts, development specialists, civilian police and the military—as the United States undertakes a significant influx of U.S. civilians and resources.
“As we welcome Mr. Martin, we also thank Mr. Rowswell for his dedication and hard work,” added Minister Cannon.
For a full biography of Tim Martin, please visit Canada’s Engagement in Afghanistan.
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Melissa Lantsman
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
