New Canadian commander in Afghanistan welcomes U.S. troop influx
CBC News
February 19, 2009
The new Canadian commander in Afghanistan said Thursday he welcomes the addition of thousands of American soldiers to the country.
Brig.-Gen. Jon Vance officially took charge of the more than 2,800 Canadian soldiers, air crew and support staff serving in Kandahar during a ceremony in the volatile southern province.
Vance replaces Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson, who led the troops for the past nine months. He takes over as Washington begins to shift its overseas military emphasis from Iraq to Afghanistan.
U.S. President Barack Obama has announced an extra 17,000 soldiers and marines will arrive in Afghanistan by the summer, including at least one combat brigade in Kandahar, where the Canadians operate.
Vance said Canadians shouldn’t view the U.S. buildup as the Americans taking over.
“I see no threat at all to Canada’s pride of accomplishments and pride of place in the future as long as we’re here,” Vance said.
The incoming U.S. troops will not overshadow the Canadian contingent and will likely operate in their own area of the province, including places where it’s been impossible to station NATO troops, he said.
They will “definitely be an addition,” said Vance.
He also said he believes the Taliban and other militants are losing influence in Afghanistan.
“I believe the insurgency is increasingly marginalized, and Afghans will be able to assume greater freedom from the scourge of insurgent activity and follow the destiny they have chosen,” he said.
Thompson said the mission is having an effect on the country. [Ed. Note: No doubt of that.]
“Our soldiers are proud of this mission, and wholeheartedly believe in what they are doing here. In the end, it’s about helping our Afghan friends determine their own destiny,” he said.
Since Canada first deployed troops to Afghanistan in 2002, 108 soldiers have been killed. The mission has also cost the life of one Canadian diplomat.
Parliament has voted to end Canada’s combat role in Afghanistan by 2011. In an interview with the CBC, Obama suggested Canada could play a future development role in the country.
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