(Canadian PM) Harper makes surprise visit to Afghanistan

[Newsjock]

Source: CBC News

Prime Minister Stephen Harper touched down unannounced in Afghanistan Tuesday to see first-hand the development of Canadian aid projects in the war-ravaged country and to meet with Afghan President Harmid Karzai.

... The visit comes during a parliamentary break week and follows heavy criticism of his government's handling of the war.

A key theme of opposition attacks on the government in recent weeks has been the treatment of people detained by Canadian soldiers and whether they face torture after being handed over to Afghan authorities.

... On Tuesday, Karzai rejected the suggestion that any prisoners had ever been abused in Afghan custody. He offered a personal guarantee that the humane treatment of prisoners in Afghanistan was of primary concern to him and that he wanted to assure his own public that this was so.

... Reporters were warned they could be arrested for breathing a word about the prime minister's travel plans.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/05/22/harper-afghanistan-070522.html

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Another "surprise" visit ... George W. Harper has learned well from his U.S. overlords

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

1. Wherein I read Harper's mind

"Oh, how I wish Canadians were being killed in Iraq too. THIS war isn't sufficiently unjust for my tastes. Ah well, I can always wait for Iran..."

[Lisa]

2. quick -- seal off the border before he can get back in! (n/t)

[Eugene]

3. Canada could extend Afghan mission, PM signals

Source: Reuters

Canada could extend Afghan mission, PM signals

By Chris Wattie
20 minutes ago

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Canada could keep its military
mission in Afghanistan beyond the scheduled February 2009
withdrawal date despite increasing pressure to bring the troops
back on time, Prime Minister Stephen Harper indicated on
Wednesday.

Harper made the comments during a surprise visit to Afghanistan,
where 2,500 Canadian troops are based in the southern city of
Kandahar.

Canada has lost 54 soldiers and a diplomat since sending troops
to Afghanistan in 2002, most of the casualties coming last year
in clashes with the Taliban.

"You know that your work is not complete. You know that we
cannot just put down our arms and hope for peace," Harper told a
crowd of soldiers at an outdoor ball hockey rink at the Canadian
military base.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070523/wl_nm/afghan_canada_dc