Back-to-back AFG Briefings in Ottawa Today (14 Feb 08)

[The Bread Guy]

It'll be interesting to see how MSM covers these events (CF vs Staples & Co.) in Ottawa today.  It's also interesting to see military officials happy to speak on the record with their names attached to the quotes, while CIDA and DFAIT are happy to talk, but generically and not on camera (see highlighted area).

Technical Briefing on Afghanistan

On Thursday, February 14, 2008, government officials will hold a technical briefing to provide an update on Canada's activities in Afghanistan.

Lt.-Gen. Michel Gauthier, Commander Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, will provide an on-the-record statement on Canada's military contribution to the international mission in Afghanistan. This will be followed by an on-the-record presentation on operational security by Brig.-Gen. Peter Atkinson, Director General Operations, Strategic Joint Staff.

Representatives from the Canadian International Development Agency and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada will also be present during the briefing (not for cameras; attribution to senior government official).

Event: Technical briefing (open to media only)
Date: February 14, 2008
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Location: Cadieux Auditorium
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario

Media Advisory - Afghanistan Government Advisor Urges Non-Military Solution to Conflict

    OTTAWA, Feb. 14 /CNW Telbec/ - Dr. Seddiq Weera, an Afghan-born, Canadian-educated diplomacy expert, will discuss the political situation in Afghanistan and the need for a non-military solution to the conflict.  Dr. Weera is a leading expert on the prospect of a negotiated settlement to the Afghan conflict, and is an advisor to the Afghanistan Minister of Education, and Board Member of the Independent National Commission on Strengthening Peace in Afghanistan.

    <<
    Press Conference

    Date:            Thursday, February 14, 2008
    Time:            1:45 PM
    Location:        Rm. 130S Charles Lynch Room, Centre Block
    Speakers:        Steven Staples, President, Rideau Institute (moderator)

                    Seddiq Weera, Senior Advisor, Independent National
                    Commission on Strengthening Peace and Senior Policy
                    Advisor, Minister of Education, Islamic Republic of
                    Afghanistan

    Dr. Weera will appear before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and
International Development

    Date:            Thursday, February 14, 2008
    Time:            3:30 PM
    Location:        Rm. 308 West Block
    >>
For further information: Steven Staples, Rideau Institute, t. (613)
565-9449 x. 24, c. (613) 290-2695

 

[The Bread Guy]

And here we be, from the same CF Tech Briefing....

This, from Reuters:  "A top Canadian general offered a cautiously optimistic view of the international effort in Afghanistan on Thursday, saying if things went well 2008 could be "a year of progress".  Lieutenant-General Michel Gauthier, overall commander of Canadian troops stationed abroad, stressed there were still major hurdles ahead in Afghanistan, such as tackling corruption and the narcotics trade.  But he said the 2,500 Canadian soldiers in the southern city of Kandahar had "made tremendous progress" over the last six months in tackling Taliban militants and training Afghan security forces...."

And this, from Agence France Presse:  "Security has improved dramatically in southern Afghanistan in recent months, a Canadian general said Thursday, but the real test will come in May to September when fighting usually intensifies.  "The security effect that we've worked hard with our partners to achieve is beginning to take effect, is beginning to take hold in targeted areas," said General Michel Gauthier.  Over the past six months, insurgents have been "severely disrupted" in southern Kandahar province, where 2,500 Canadian troops are based as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), he said.  "In conversations with ISAF commanders, there is optimism about the future," he said, noting fewer attacks on Afghan police stations in Zharey and Panjwayi districts west of Kandahar City ...."

And finally this, from the "home team" Canadian Press:  "The Conservative government threw open the doors to weekly briefings on the Afghan mission Thursday, only to have the Canadian Forces warn it will still have to keep plenty of secrets.  The general in charge of all of Canada's overseas military operations says they're doing their best to balance the public's right to know with the need to safeguard operations and lives.  Lt.-Gen. Michel Gauthier, head of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, said there is a recognition that both the positive achievements and the "challenges" need to be disclosed.  The Manley panel report on the future of the Afghan mission criticized the Conservative government for not providing the public with enough information about the war - an appraisal Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he accepted. The government recently announced update briefings on the mission would be held weekly, instead of monthly...."