CTV via CFRA radio: PM Receives Troop Assurances from Bush

[tuvor]

The United States could send one-thousand troops to Kandahar to help keep Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan if no other countries come forward.

CTV News reports Prime Minister Stephen Harper has received assurances from US President George Bush that the US will provide the troops if other NATO nations don't provide reinforcements.

Not much more at: http://www.cfra.com/headlines/index.asp?cat=3&nid=55455

(Have not been able to find the CTV source. In fact, I've found nothing at all about this item other than on a Pakistani news site.)

[CHIMO]

1. Hillier

Must be in heaven. Now he will be working directly under US command.

[Bragi]

2. This is so not surprising

This looked like a setup from the outset. Manley put the 1000 troop addition in as a faux "demand" so that Canada could shill inside NATO for Bush. The logic was that though everyone could easily dismiss Bush's appeal for more troops, maybe they'd listen to Canada.

But it was obvious all along that if no-one took the bait -- which now appears to be the case -- then Bush would move in 1000 of its own troops to keep the Canadians engaged. Hell, why wouldn't Bush do that, rather than see 2500 Canadian troops, who are worth their weight in gold in PR terms, leave the battlefield?

What an embarrassment this whole thing is for Canada. I predict this war is going to end real badly. In a year's time, I'll bet the Conservative and Liberal MPs will all be trying to distance themselves over their support for this unwinnable war, and dark footnote in Canadian history.

- B

[daleo]

3. So much for all the blather about NATO solidarity

In the end, this has always been an American show.