PM wants to see more missions like Afghanistan
ALLISON DUNFIELD
Globe and Mail Update
Prime Minister Stephen Harper continued to show strong support for the Canadian military Thursday, attending a military graduation ceremony in Alberta and saying that he believes that Canada can make a difference globally by taking a "more visible role" in international missions.
"What I would like to see done with our military that's a little different than the past is rather than placing a handful of soldiers here and there, really concentrate our efforts in places in ways that we can show leadership and take a substantial load and take a very visible role, so we make a real notable contribution that the military as a whole is committed to and engaged in rather than a whole bunch of piecemeal missions.
"That's the direction I'd like to go."
He said the current military mission in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where Canadians are taking the leading role in a coalition of troops, is an example of the direction the military should be heading.
The Conservative government has made revamping the military one of its main priorities in the new session of Parliament. Mr. Harper's first overseas trip was to Afghanistan.
While the federal government is committed to building up forces, it's not going to happen overnight, Mr. Harper admitted. He said Canada currently does not have the capability to sustain more than one mission the size of the current mission in Kandahar. But the government plans to carry through on its campaign promise of increasing both the size and range of military equipment and increasing the size of both regular and reserve forces.
He also said that whether Canada takes part in combat or peacekeeping missions, or a combination of both will depend on upcoming events. "We want to make sure that our military has the capability of dealing with all types of situations."
Twelve Canadians — 11 soldiers and one diplomat — have died since Canadian troops were first deployed in Afghanistan four years ago, and tensions are rising. Three soldiers have been killed since Mr. Harper became Prime Minister.
Opinion polls suggest that Canadians are divided about the country's role in the war-torn region, and Monday's Commons debate on the issue appeared to reflect that division.
About 2,300 Canadians are currently serving in Afghanistan.
After he attended the military graduation and parade in Wainwright, Alta., Thursday, Mr. Harper was asked by reporters why he had chosen to appear at the ceremony. The Prime Minister said partially it was timing -- he was headed to his home riding in Calgary for the Easter weekend -- and partially he wanted to show his ongoing encouragement to the military and the work they are doing.
Mr. Harper said for years, the military has been in a state of decline and neglect, and his government intends to change that.
"I've always been fascinated over the years at the dedication and commitment of our armed forces personnel when frankly over, you know, I think a long period of time, they've often been neglected by the civilian government, neglected not just in terms of equipment, but really often ignored and marginalized."
Mr. Harper's stop at Wainwright, about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton, was his second visit with troops since he took office in early February, the first being with troops in Afghanistan.
Mr. Harper told the graduating students that they are entering the "highest calling of citizenship."[/qujote]
