Canada spends $28 million on armored cars to chase Osama around with

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N31256881.htm

OTTAWA, May 31 (Reuters) - Canada said on Wednesday it was urgently buying 25 more South African armored patrol vehicles for its military mission in Afghanistan, a move that came shortly after Ottawa pulled its new German-made armored jeeps from the front line.

The Defence Department said Ottawa was buying 25 Nyala vehicles, made by BAE <BAE.L> Land Systems OMC, for C$31 million ($28 million). Canada already has 50 of the vehicles and delivery of the new batch is to start this September.

"The procurement of the armored personnel vehicle was the result of an urgent operational requirement," the ministry said in a statement.

It noted the vehicles offered "enhanced mine blast resistance as well as protection against both improvised explosive devices and ballistic threats".

[Kagemusha]

1. Rather, to do patrols without being blown to smitherines.

That's a reasonable step given the circumstances, isn't it?

[NNN0LHI]

2. Aren't they chasing Osama around Afghanistan any more? n/t

[Hoping4Change]

3. They're in Kandahar and have engaged in some fierce fighting.

[NNN0LHI]

5. They should come home and leave the Afghan people alone

I think it would be the best thing for everyone involved.

Don

[Hoping4Change]

7. I support Canadian efforts to rid Afganistan of the Taliban.

[Spazito]

8. They are not ridding Afghanistan of the Taliban...

they are cannon fodder replacements for the US troops that were pulled out of Afghanistan and sent to Iraq where they are cannon fodder themselves for oil and empire.

I supported Canada being in Afghanistan as part of the NATO/UN peacekeeping effort. I DO NOT support the change in mission from one of peacekeeping to one of combat and where a large number of our troops are under US command and not NATO.

[Hoping4Change]

9. All our troops are under US command not just some and I too am

incensed by that. The US command is a royal F***Up which was made blatantly clear when several weeks ago they ordered that missile atttack on Afgan civilizans without any consulation or even warning to Canadian forces. Did you see the story several days prior to that outrage about the months long Canadian effort to gather all the Mullahs and war lords from southern Afganistan to have a meeting? This meeting was unique because Canadians were consulting these Afgan leaders as to how Afgans wanted to spend several million dollars from the Canadian government. Then after such a well received gesture, the Americans send in missiles and indisriminately kill civilians. I even have to wonder whether the Americans resented Canadians techniques and wanted to sabotage their efforts.

[Spazito]

11. The soldiers in Kabul are still under the NATO mission, the soldiers

around Khandahar are under US command. I was just glad Canadians weren't involved in that attack on the Afghan civilians although it is only a matter of time, imo, until we will be responsible for civilian deaths.

[applegrove]

4. At least.. that is where the people guilty of 9/11 are or were.

[NNN0LHI]

6. That was 4 and a half years ago

These terra-ists they are supposedly searching for will die of old age before they are caught at this rate.

It appears that they are chasing shadows.

Don

[applegrove]

10. I believe that Afghanistan deserves peace. Just because invading

Iraq has re destabilized the area is no reason to slam people who did stand up to get bin Laden. Remember - Canada refused to sign up for Iraq. We were only interested in doing our part to free the country that was sponsoring terrorism.

I don't think it is fair to paint Canadians with the same brush. Perhaps they were not told the idea was to destabilize the whole region and force a WWIII.