Posted on 08/07/2007 3:12:37 PM PDT by Clive
EDMONTON (CP) - Canada's soldiers in Afghanistan are making real, measurable improvements in the lives of people in Kandahar province, says the former commander of those troops.
And while the Taliban are likely to continue harassing both soldiers and civilians with "terrorist tactics," Maj.-Gen. Tim Grant believes Afghan security forces have made significant strides toward looking after themselves.
"We went from last year, when there was drought and people were starving, to this year, where it's bumper crops and people are moving back into their homes and really getting on with their lives," said Grant, who returned to Edmonton on Tuesday after handing off his command.
"Across the board, I think it's a success story."
Grant said the development side of Canada's mission has begun to show results in virtually every district of the Kandahar region. Statistics compiled by the military indicate that more than 1,100 wells, 75 kilometres of irrigation canals, 120 kilometres of rural roads and seven kilometres of power lines have been completed.
More than 350,000 children have been vaccinated against polio and infant mortality is dropping.
"(The programs) are working," Grant said. "There's huge traction."
Relative stability brought on by last summer's heavy fighting - along with the end to Kandahar's crippling five-year drought - has made all the difference to the region's agricultural economy, Grant said.
"Kandahar used to supply produce for most of that part of the world and they're starting to get back on their feet now and it's really great to see."
Afghan security forces have also come a long way.
When Grant arrived in the country nine months ago, the Afghan National Army had only a few hundred trained and equipped soldiers. They were only capable of working in groups of between 10 and 15 men. The army now has three trained battalions and plans and executes its own large-scale operations against the Taliban.
Grant acknowledged the police - corrupt, poorly trained and ill-equipped - remain a challenge. Even there, however, he sees small signs of progress, such as the recent appointment of a new chief of police in Kandahar.
"The day I left, he announced that he had arrested four police officers that had been taking bribes. It's small steps but it's all heading in the right direction. The most important things we're working on right now is the development of the police."
Grant said the recently arrived Quebec-based Van Doos are likely to face the same threat that caused all of Canada's most recent casualties - improvised explosive devices, or roadside bombs.
"The Taliban have truly resorted to terrorist tactics, whether it's suicide bombers or roadside bombs. Lots of kids are killed by the Taliban. We see them in the hospitals on a regular basis.
"They are a group that cannot be tolerated. You cannot negotiate with this organization.
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B Hussein Obama would beg to differ. He'll chat with anyone that's anti-American.
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