More speculation fodder from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, speaking to reporters about the future of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, from the Agence France-Presse wire service:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper reaffirmed Friday that Canadian combat troops would leave Afghanistan in 2011, but vowed his country would then focus on boosting development and humanitarian efforts.
“Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan will end in 2011,” Harper told reporters. “And we will not be extending the military mission, period.“
By the time the deadline is reached, “we will have been in Afghanistan longer than we will have been in both world wars combined,” added the prime minister.
“I think it is time to transform that mission towards development and humanitarian efforts. That’s what we’re already doing.”
So, if AFP quoted the PM correctly, the PM’s words suggest zero CF troops in Afghanistan post 2011.
At least for now, anyway.
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