Posted on 08/30/2007 6:43:34 PM PDT by Clive
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (CP) - Canada's military commander in Afghanistan says negotiating with the Taliban doesn't lead anywhere.
Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche puts it simply: "I don't talk to the Taliban." But he says military strategy alone won't bring order and peace to a country that has been ravaged for more than a generation by war, tribal rivalries and competing warlords.
Laroche shares the opinion of U.S. Maj.-Gen. Robert Cone, who's in charge of equipping and training Afghan security forces to take over from international troops.
Cone has said military force alone probably won't be enough to defeat the Taliban, known for its harsh interpretation of Islamic sharia law.
He says most insurgencies are resolved with a political solution in the end.
For his part, Laroche says he has regular discussions with Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government, the police chief for the southern Kandahar province, the country's army and other players about the situation in Afghanistan.
In an interview Thursday, Laroche noted that soldiers from Quebec's Royal 22nd Regiment, who have been in Afghanistan since the beginning of the summer, have seen "a lot of political action" to try to bring people together in a spirit of reconstruction from the Zhari-Panjwaii districts of Kandahar province.
"It's very difficult," he acknowledged.
"I think we must remain patient. We're going to see progress, I'm sure of it. Progress is never quick enough but I am optimistic."
After years of an international military presence, the Taliban are still putting up fierce resistance to better-armed NATO forces.
Some western observers argue the time has come to start negotiations with the Taliban, which doesn't recognize the authority of Karzai's government.
However, many countries including Canada do not believe in negotiating with groups associated with the terrorist ideology of al-Qaida.
On Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier said "Canada does not negotiate with terrorists, for any reason."
Bernier said "such negotiations, even if unsuccessful, only lead to further acts of terrorism."
The federal government has expressed regret that South Korea negotiated with the Taliban for the release of 19 South Koreans held hostage in Afghanistan.
Canada has about 2,300 soldiers in southern Afghanistan, as well as Canadian diplomats, development officials and non-government workers.
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IOWs DEMOCRAPS want to negotiate with terrorists.
sKerry, Turbin, Murtha, Peelousy, Reid,...
And don’t forget the Eunix. Their defense policy tends to be “Why fight, when we can talk ourselves into submission?”
The modern “Lord Chamberlain’s” “Lord HAW-HAW’s” “Tokyo Rose’s” “Quislings”
Gee, a Canadian with gonads! Who’da tunk it?
And before anyone jumps on my case about the Canadian military. All that serve and spend time in a military zone are with “gonads”. My concern is the Canadian politicians, newspapers, etc. To have a General speak out is tantamount to his early retirement.
Yea, we’ve got 2500 of them in A-stan and a lot more at home.
70 of them gave their lives.
Keep that in mind next time you want to make smart remarks.
Read post #7.
Better, I’ve just seen too many jerks with their heads up their a@@es on these forums bashing Canada without even recognizing we’re fighting.
As a veteran of VN, I would never, and I say again, never say anything to belittle any military person on earth. I have had the privilege to serve with several Canadians while in VN, one died in my lap (I was a corpsman), the other saved my life with his refusal to leave me in the middle of a firefight … same mix-up. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
The elections next year are critical.
We're rooting for you guys to win both the Presidency and control of Congress.
We’re going to do what we can but, lawdy, if I have to vote for Rudy Toot over the Dem it’s going to be awful hard to hold my nose tight enough.
Who are the Eunix? Am I missing a political faction? Is that a euphemism for a RINO?
“Who are the Eunix? Am I missing a political faction? Is that a euphemism for a RINO?”
EUnix (sounds like eunuchs) = EU bureaucrats.
Western officials commenting in Afghanistan may well be from countries other than US.
I think it needs to be EUnix in order to strengthen the association with the EU. Anyway, I take for granted that Europe will produce a white flag whine. I just figure that John sKerry is already holding secret negotiations with the Taliban and it might be coming from our shores.
It looks like your new Prime Minister is providing the military with the equipment it needs to get the job done safely and effectively.
They also want a deep water port in the Arctic and armed icebreakers, they are also picking up transport aircraft... check this page out http://www.sfu.ca/casr/
For J Effing Kerry, that would be his traditional action. Treat with the enemy, during a time of war, with no sanction or approval.
These days I expect it of any one or more of a dozen Democraps. That’s basically what Peelousy did in Syria. Treating with the Taliban in secret is only a small step further.
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