Canada rejects Gates Afghanistan call

Antaletriangle · 12-12-2008, 12:39 PM

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id...onid=351020403
Canada has rejected US secretary of defense's call for staying longer in Afghanistan, saying that the country will end its mission in 2011.

Earlier on Thursday, Robert Gates said in his Kandahar visit, "They have been outstanding partners for us, and all I can tell you is ... the longer we can have Canadian soldiers as our partners, the better it is."

Dan Dugas, spokesman for Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay however reiterated later on Thursday that Canada's Parliament 'has decided that our mission there ends in 2011', AFP reported.

Canada, which deployed forces in the war-ravaged country in 2002, has a 2,750-strong force in southern Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper had earlier made it clear that Ottawa would not agree to a further extension of the Canadian mission beyond 2011.

12-12-2008, 12:39 PM	#1
Antaletriangle Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,380	Canada rejects Gates Afghanistan call http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id...onid=351020403 Canada has rejected US secretary of defense's call for staying longer in Afghanistan, saying that the country will end its mission in 2011. Earlier on Thursday, Robert Gates said in his Kandahar visit, "They have been outstanding partners for us, and all I can tell you is ... the longer we can have Canadian soldiers as our partners, the better it is." Dan Dugas, spokesman for Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay however reiterated later on Thursday that Canada's Parliament 'has decided that our mission there ends in 2011', AFP reported. Canada, which deployed forces in the war-ravaged country in 2002, has a 2,750-strong force in southern Afghanistan. Prime Minister Stephen Harper had earlier made it clear that Ottawa would not agree to a further extension of the Canadian mission beyond 2011.