MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 16 Sept 11

• Afghanistan (1)  “Canada’s spy agency has been cleared of wrongdoing in connection with the abuse of Afghan detainees. But the Security Intelligence Review Committee raised two issues for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to consider in future overseas operations — even though CSIS operations on foreign soil are limited by law. The spy watchdog chided CSIS for not keeping adequate records and cautioned it to “assess and qualify with care and consistency” the intelligence it receives from agencies that may be party to human rights abuses. It also recommended that if CSIS continues to operate abroad, its standards of accountability and professionalism should live up to those on Canadian soil ….”  Since The Canadian Press isn’t sharing the report, here it is at the Security Intelligence Review Committee’s web page (21 pages of redacted PDF) – here, also, is the news release announcing the findings.  Also, more from Postmedia News and the Globe & Mail here and here.
• Afghanistan (2a)  Finally, a bit of news (albeit sounding a bit like a briefing note) from the CF Info-Machine on the training mission under way in Afghanistan!  “Captain (Navy) Haydn Edmundson arrived here on 18 July 2011 as part of the initial rotation of the Canadian Contribution Training Mission–Afghanistan (CCTM-A), the task force deployed on Operation ATTENTION to serve with the NATO Training Mission–Afghanistan (NTM-A). As Chief of Staff to the Deputy Commanding General–Police (DCOM-Police) at NTMA Headquarters, Capt(N) Edmundson has a prominent role in the training and development of the Afghan National Police (ANP) ….”
• Afghanistan (2b)  More from the CF Info-Machine on the training mission: “On 23 August 2011, Colonel Peter Dawe, the deputy commander of the Canadian Contribution Training Mission – Afghanistan (CCTM-A) paid a visit to Camp Souter to meet the small but vital team that lives and works there, and tour their facility. Camp Souter is a British support base conveniently situated near Kabul International Airport. The Canadians assigned there work diligently behind the scenes to meet the support requirements of CCTM-A, the large and growing mission deployed with the NATO Training Mission–Afghanistan (NTM-A) under Operation ATTENTION. NTM-A is the international effort to help the Afghan national security forces prepare for the transition to full responsibility for security throughout Afghanistan in 2014 ….”
• Afghanistan (3)  “The Royal Canadian Legion says it will have to debate whether it supports adding Afghanistan to the National War Memorial. Spokesman Bob Butt says it is a matter for the various Legion commands to decide and the subject has yet to be discussed among the organization’s 340,000 active members. A proposal circulated around National Defence last year called for the word Afghanistan and the dates 2001-2011 to be added to the memorial that sits in the shadow of Parliament Hill. The $2.1 million dollar plan included the addition of an eternal flame and a national commemoration ceremony. But a spokesman for Defence Minister Peter MacKay says it would be inappropriate to commemorate Afghanistan right now because soldiers are still there on a training mission. Butt initially indicated the Legion favoured revamping the memorial, however he says the matter is best debated among the members when the federal government has a specific proposal ….”
• Way Up North  During CDS visit to Russia, Canada and Russia agree to exchange port visits with naval ships.  “…. Both sides also discussed situation in the North Africa and Middle East, as well as European security. They also agreed to exchange visits of their warships between Canada’s Vancouver and the Murmansk port of Russia.  The visiting Canadian delegation visited several military facilities in Moscow Wednesday ….
• What’s Canada Buying? (1)  “Defence Minister Peter MacKay was warned the manufacturer of the air force’s new maritime helicopters might be tempted to cut corners in the rush to get the long-delayed program back on track, say internal documents. “The remaining elements for the interim (maritime helicopter) delivery are all safety related and it is crucial that DND remain diligent to ensure Sikorsky does not take inappropriate risks to keep schedule,” said a Nov. 23 briefing note. The advice came soon after a scathing report by the auditor general, who’d singled out the CH-148 Cyclone program for delays and cost overruns. Less than three weeks after Sheila Fraser’s assessment, U.S. helicopter giant Sikorsky advised the federal government it wouldn’t meet a Nov. 30, 2010, deadline to land the first helicopter for “limited training and operational testing.” Officials vented their frustration in the note, portions of which were underlined for emphasis. It urged both politicians and defence officials to take a deep breath and not get involved in any further debate — or request changes. “It is also paramount that DND not interfere or influence the conduct of activities, as this would provide Sikorsky rationale for excusable delay.” Ottawa’s $5.7-billion plan to buy 28 new helicopters to replace the geriatric Sea Kings, which fly off the decks of warships, have been hit with repeated delays ….”  The Canadian Press doesn’t appear to be sharing this briefing note with the public, who may want to see more of the bigger picture of the document.
• Speaking of “geriatric” Sea Kings:  “The venerable Sea King will be 50 years old in 2013 and plans are already underway to celebrate the milestone. Tim Dunne, a retired army major, says a committee was formed about a year ago to work on a reunion, a book, a memorial service and other events. Plans are also underway to place a Sea King in the Shearwater Aviation Museum ….”
• What’s Canada Buying:  Big Honkin’ Ships Edition  Blogger Mark Collins underwhelmed with the prospect of unarmed poor compromise design Navy ships in the Arctic.
• F-35 Tug o’ War One writer’s feelings:  “…. despite assurances from Department of National Defence officials that the F-35 is the right aircraft for Canada, the only way to really know which aircraft can best meet Canadian requirements — and at what cost — would be to put out an open, fair and transparent statement of requirements and request for proposals, and conduct a rigorous evaluation of the bidders’ responses. Denmark, which is a Level 3 partner in the F-35 program, like Canada is, has decided on an open competition to select its next-generation fighter aircraft. People are questioning why Canada is not doing the same thing. Only then will Canadians know the right fighter has been selected, at the right price.”
• What’s Canada Buying? (2)  Paraclete tactical pouches for delivery to Richmond, Ontario and Kingston, Ontario, and up to +7K vials of injectable tetracycline-style antibiotic for CFB Petawawa.
• What’s Canada Buying? (3)  CF starting to ask manufacturers for information on what rifle should replace the Lee Enfield for use by Canadian Rangers (via Army.ca)
• Canadian Rangers got a chance to share their stories at the CNE in Toronto. “Six Canadian Rangers from northern Ontario told thousands of visitors to a military display at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto what Canadian Rangers do across Canada’s North. “I’ve never talked to so many people in my life,” said Master Cpl. Bill Morris from Kingfisher Lake, which has a population of 420. “People asked us who the Rangers are and what we do. They were pretty amazed when we told them.” The Ranger exhibit, centred around a traditional tipi, helped attract visitors to a large display of military equipment showcasing the army, navy and air force. The display attracted about one million people to it during the 17 days of the CNE, the biggest fair of its kind in Canada ….”
• “The Calgary Homeless Foundation wants to turn a small apartment building into housing units for homeless military veterans. The Royal Canadian Legion says there are at least 25 people living on Calgary streets that have been identified as Canadian Forces veterans. Cindy Green-Muse of the Legion’s Back In Step program said she knows of 25 to 30 veterans who don’t have a roof over their heads. They range in age from a few in their 20′s to one man who is over 80 years old ….”
• The CF’s Commander-in-Chief is taking part in the Army Run this weekend.  “Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will lace up their running shoes this weekend for this year’s Canada Army Run, being held on Sunday, September 18, 2011, in Ottawa. At 7:30 a.m., His Excellency will address all athletes competing in the five-kilometre run, and will also cheer on his wife at the starting line. At 8:40 a.m., the Governor General will wish all athletes competing in the half marathon ‘good luck’, and join them in this 21-kilometre challenge ….”
• Meanwhile, “On Sunday, for the second year in a row, the annual Terry Fox Run is sharing its date with the Army Run, and there’s no sign the two charity events will be run on separate dates any time soon. The Terry Fox Run, in its 31st year, is a volunteer-run, non-competitive event to raise money for cancer research. Over the course of its history, the Ottawa, Orléans, Kanata and Gatineau runs have together raised more than $5.75 million. Runs are held across Canada on the same day and they all share a marketing budget geared to that date. The Army Run is a hugely popular newcomer to the charity run scene. Organized by Run Ottawa in collaboration with the Department of National Defence, the competitive run offers five-kilometre and half-marathon events to raise money for two military charities, Soldier On and the Military Families Fund. From its inception in 2008, the Army Run has grown to have up to 14,000 entrants in subsequent years ….”
• “Canada’s most decorated military hero, the First World War flying ace William Barker, will be honoured next week in Toronto with a gravesite monument aimed at reviving knowledge of his unmatched exploits above Europe’s battlefields nearly a century ago. Barker, a Manitoba farmboy who went on to be awarded the Victoria Cross, three Military Crosses and a host of other medals for his wartime feats, was credited with destroying 50 enemy aircraft in just the last two years of the 1914-18 war. He later became the founding director of the Royal Canadian Air Force – a designation recently restored to the aviation branch of Canada’s military – before dying tragically, at age 35, in a 1930 crash on the frozen Ottawa River while demonstrating a new aircraft in Canada’s capital ….”

MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 14 Nov 10

• More troops headed downrange for next rotation in Afghanistan – this from David Pugliese’s Defence Watch:  “Another group of 120 Valcartier-based soldiers will deploy this Monday to take part in the 10th Rotation of OPERATION ATHENA, in Afghanistan. This flight is the 7th since the beginning of the deployment on November 3, according to the Canadian Forces.”
• Reporter Ian Elliot raises a good question in this from the Kingston-Whig Standard:  “As the Canadian Forces abandon the desert base that was their staging area into Afghanistan, they are bringing back one of the most important items there. The centrepiece of Camp Mirage was a subdued but elegant cairn in the centre of the camp, outside the mess. On it were plaques commemorating each of the 152 Canadian soldiers who have died in the war, including three who grew up in this area. The granite monument at Al Minhad Air Base, surrounded by carefully tended green grass that was an anomaly in the desert, is on its way home. “It will be reinstalled in Canada, but we haven’t selected a location for that yet,” Capt. Jennifer Kellerman of the Canadian Expeditionary Force command confirmed Friday …. She vowed that it won’t just be put into storage somewhere. “The decision on where it will go here in Canada will probably be made at the level of the chief of defence staff,” she said ….” A bit of debate/discussion on possible options here at an Army.ca forum.
• According to the Canadian Press, former Chief of Defence Staff Rick Hillier, “says until he knows more about the (extended Afghan) training mission, he doesn’t want to comment on the decision.  But he told reporters in Calgary that it is clear that the Afghan security forces are not ready, and that another three or four years of training would help prepare them for the job ahead ….”
• Former U.K. PM Tony Blair’s take on Canada extending its stay in Afghanistan to train Afghan security forces, via the Canadian Press:  “(Canadians are) hugely respected there …. It’s a decision for Canada to take. It’s absolutely got the right to do what it wishes to do in respect to this …. My view about the broader question of extremism, though, is that this extremist security threat is still absolutely a threat we face.”
• Toronto Star columnist James Travers sees the mission extension as both a flip-flop and a double-tactical win for the Prime Minister:  “…. (Harper) neutralized any Liberal advantage in outflanking Conservatives on a post-combat Afghanistan policy and then widened the all-important fissure to his party’s ideological left.  Best of all for Harper, the consequences of Canada’s hastily recalibrated Afghanistan position won’t be known until after the next federal election ….”
• Political columnist Chantal Hebert on how the news of Canada’s new mission oozed out of Ottawa, via the Halifax Chronicle-Herald:  “…. The sight of an unelected partisan staffer apprising Canadians of their government’s thinking on a top-of-mind defence and foreign policy issue that involves committing hundreds of Canadian men and women to a war theatre for an extra three years was unprecedented. The power of the PMO has been in ascendancy at the expense of the federal cabinet for a number of decades, but that evolution has rarely been as blatantly obvious as over the past two weeks ….”
• Canadian military analyst Mercedes Stephenson calls the decision to stay and train “the right one” via QMI/Sun Media: “…. Canada has spilled too much blood and invested too many resources in trying to create a stable and secure Afghanistan to walk away because of a rubber-stamped date set in a far off capital ….”
• So, where exactly will Canadian troops end up training Afghan soldiers and cops? The government says they’re still sorting that stuff out, but some media coverage (like QMI/Sun Media) hints it could be done out of Kabul, while others (like Postmedia News) say the opposite – this, from Canada’s senior officer in the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan headquarters:  “The need for training is national …. It doesn’t matter where they go. It’s the same mission with the same force protection. The training centres are all over the country because that is where the trainees are.”  Everywhere but Kandahar, if the government wants to stick to the letter of the March 2008 resolution.
• Blog Watch:  The Peace, Order and Good Government, eh? blog wonders who Canadian troops will be training in Afghanistan: “…. And I find it more than a little interesting that (NATO) is in much greater need of trainers for the ANP (Afghan National Police) than for the ANA (Afghan National Army). Canadian troops may well be terrific at training army recruits but does that make them good at training police officers? Though the answer wouldn’t change my own lack of enthusiasm for the project, the question seems worth asking.”
• Taliban Propaganda Watch: Attacks alleged across Kandahar.
• Two messages from the Taliban, according to one analyst speaking to Reuters, as NATO leaders prepare to meet at a summit in Lisbon this week:  “From one side, the Taliban would like to show that the United States could not defeat them militarily in the past nine years and from other side want to introduce themselves as an acceptable political force, too”.

MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 4 Nov 10

• More from Postmedia News on Canada’s next ROTO of troops headed to Afghanistan from Valcartier, Quebec:  “At first they were smiling, holding hands or hugging each other. But as the roll call neared, tears started to flow, turning into uncontrollable sobbing. Families and friends bade farewell at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier Wednesday to 145 Quebec-based soldiers deployed to Afghanistan as part of the last combat rotation before the Canadian mission ends next summer ….” (More from the R22eR web page – en français – here.)
• Building on the “Do We Arm the Tribes/Militias?” debate, this, via the Canadian Press:  “The Canadian military says it would rather boost the number of police officers in Kandahar than use militias to protect locals. Brig.-Gen. Dean Milner says that while the Afghan Local Police initiative is still a possibility, recruiting more police officers is a better option.  The ALP is a controversial program launched this summer to provide weapons and training to villagers in the hopes they will defend themselves against insurgents. Milner, who heads the Canadian mission in Kandahar, says he will be deploying fresh resources to help increase the numbers and broaden the training of Afghan National Police officers …”
• CBC columnist/commentator Brian Stewart alleges Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s arm could be getting twisted soon (at an upcoming NATO meeting in Lisbon) in the hope that Canada will keep at least some troops in Afghanistan to train Afghan security forces: “…. the rumour is that NATO will badger Harper for as many as 400 trainers, to be based in Kabul and other areas away from direct combat. That number would still leave Canada with a significant role in the nearly decade-long conflict. But, politically, that kind of request would seem a safe political sell for the PM, as many Liberals, as well as many in Harper’s own caucus, are open to the idea of maintaining non-combat trainers after next summer. Harper, however, has not indicated in any way that he’ll consider changing his mind ….” My guess:  PM’ll still say “no”, with unnamed sources telling media, “where was NATO when Canada was fighting it out in Kandahar four years ago, asking for other NATO countries to help in the fight?”  More of my venting on this here, here and here.
• Blog Watch: Lookit what Mark Collins over at Unambiguously Ambidextrous has managed to dig up:  “I’ll bet you didn’t know about this American military contract for helicopter services to a Canadian company (will our major media notice?) ….” Good question.  Even more at defenceindustrydaily.com here and the U.S. Federal Business Opportunities page announcing the award here.
• According to QMI Media, “Canada’s outgoing veterans ombudsman says he has “no confidence” that the $2 billion dollars the Conservatives recently announced in new benefits will find its way into the pockets of injured vets. Pat Stogran told senators Wednesday that too many conditions are tied to the Tories’ proposals and numerous policies are not retro-active, so injured soldiers returning from Afghanistan won’t benefit.  “I’m concerned it is too piecemeal,” he said of the policy changes. Stogran pleaded with senators to massively reform the way the federal government treats former soldiers.  He said he has “no confidence” staff are briefing the minister in an (unbiased) way.  He told the Veterans Affairs subcommittee he is recommending 11 ways the government can “break the culture of denial and often poor treatment of our veterans and their families that is firmly entrenched in Veterans Affairs Canada and the Veterans Review and Appeals Board.” ….”
• Guess who Canadians surveyed by Abacus Data found scarier:  Child soldier-terrorist Omar Khadr or disgraced former military multi-killer-rapist Russell Williams? QMI Media tells you here.
• Remember Beverly Giesbrecht, a.k.a.Khadija Abdul Qahaar, the B.C. woman who was kidnapped in November 2008 while visiting Pakistan to share the Taliban’s story with the world via her web page (which no longer seems to be working – here’s a taste of the site via Archive.org, and the domain name should be coming up for sale early next year as it expires then)?  This, from the Indian Express:  “A woman journalist from Canada, who was abducted by militants in November 2008, has died following prolonged illness in the custody of the Taliban somewhere in northwest Pakistan or Afghanistan, sources said on Tuesday …. Khadija Abdul Qahar, 55, who was known as Beverly Giesbrecht before she converted to Islam, was abducted along with her translator Salman Khan and cook-cum-driver Zar Muhammad while travelling to Miranshah in the restive North Waziristan tribal region …. Salman Khan and Zar Muhammad were released after eight months of captivity due to efforts made by the head of a religious party.  Khan disclosed after his release that Qahar was suffering from hepatitis and was mentally prepared for death.  She was not very optimistic about her release, he had then said.”  (More from Postmedia News here, QMI/Sun Media here, the Georgia Straight here, with a bit of a timeline/commentary on the story at Army.ca here).
• Taliban Propaganda Watch: Taliban Claim Responsiblity for Allegedly Killing 5 “Intelligence Officer” in Kandahar – Meme o’ the moment – “minion”
• In Ontario, Conservative Member of the Legislature for Nepean-Carleton, Lisa MacLeod, is introducing a Private Member’s Bill today making Remembrance Day a statutory holiday across Ontario. According to QMI, Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec are the only provinces where it isn’t recognized as such.  Private Member’s Bills have a very, very small “pass through to Royal Assent” rate (more on this here – PDF from the Legislative Library of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario), but it might just get public debate going.

Have a great day!

TALIBAN PROPAGANDA WATCH – 280050UTC Jul 10

NOTE: This material is from web pages and forums carrying statements attributed to the Taliban, Taliban spokespersons or supporters of the Taliban, or analysis thereof. Posting of this material neither confirms nor endorses any of its content – it is shared for information only. When material translated into English is not available, Google Translate is used to translate the original  – this is only a machine translation, NOT an official one.

---

RC South and RC Southwest attack claims, excerpted from “Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan military operations against the kafirs, munafiqs and the worshippers of Idols,” 27 Jul 10 (full list of claims at non-terrorist site here)

---

RC South

Mujahideen attack Amina Qummandani in Kandahar
Mujahideen attacked Amina Qummandani ( Police Headquarter ) in Kandahar city yesterday night (July 26) at around 11:00 pm, killing 3 policemen besides the damages caused to the enemy. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

Blast in Kandahar kills five policemen of puppet ANP
At least five puppets were killed in the province’s Daman district as Mujahideen planted IED detonated at the enemy’s patrol vehicle yesterday night (July 26) at about 11:00 pm. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

Another NATO tank destroyed in Kandahar
According to report from Kandahar province, Mujahideen got another tank of the invading enemy destroyed killing all the soldiers on board on Tuesday (July 27). Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

Enemy vehicle torn apart in Kandahar, 8 killed or wounded
At least 5 soldiers of puppet ANA were killed with another 3 wounded Tuesday (July 27) at about 10:00 am, when their vehicle got struck by a roadside bomb in Zhari district of Kandahar. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

5 NATO invaders, 7 puppets killed in clashes with Mujahideen in Zabul
As many as 5 NATO invaders and 7 of their puppets were killed with several more wounded in a clash with Mujahideen Monday morning (July 27) in Shamalzu district of Zabul. Two vehicles and four motorcycles of the enemy have been reported to have been destroyed during the fighting. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

9 puppet elements killed in Zabul blast
In the province’s Sweri district, Mujahideen got one of the enemy vehicles destroyed, killing the enemy soldiers on board yesterday evening (July 26) at about7:00 pm. In another news report from Zabul province, Tuesday morning, at bout 7:00 am, an IED blast hit and destroyed the enemy’s vehicle elsewhere in this district, killing or wounding 9 cowardly minions. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

Puppets’ vehicle blown up in Zabul
Earlier Tuesday morning, at bout 6:00 am, Mujahideen got a vehicle of the puppets blown apart using IED in Zabul’s Shah Jui district without knowing the extent of the losses of life and injuries. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

---

RC Southwest

Personnel of NDS (spy agency) attacked in Helmand
Sharaf, official of NDS (National Directorate of Security) a local spy agency of US-NATO invaders got attacked as he was traveling in his vehicle in Helmand’s Garmsir district but it is unclear whether the target was killed or injured in the guerrilla attack. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

Police in Helmand give in military post to Mujahideen
Three policemen with their weapons, ammo and other stuff surrendered themselves to Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Monday (July 26) choosing the cause of truth by joining the ranks of Mujahideen in Gerishk, Helmand province. Also Monday, Mujahideen killed three puppets and wounded two more in the province’s Nowzad district. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

14 US-NATO, 5 puppets killed or wounded in Marjah
As many 14 foreign invaders and 5 of their puppets were killed with three of their tanks and vehicles destroyed in a series of Mujahideen attacks and bombings in Marjah, Helmand through much of Tuesday (July 27). Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

4 US, 4 puppets terrorists killed in Marjah
At least 4 American invaders were killed some injured in a clash with Mujahideen in Helmand’s Marjah yesterday (July 26) at about 3:00 pm. Also Monday, Mujahideen, in attack of the enemy military convoy elsewhere in Marjah, killed 6 puppets besides wounding several more. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

5 US invaders killed, 4 wounded as four enemy tanks destroyed in Helmand
At least 5 American terrorists were killed and 4 injured yesterday (July 26) at about 5:00 pm, as the enemy tank hit a Mujahideen IED in Sangin district of the province, while several US soldiers were killed or wounded when three of the US invaders tanks were hit and destroyed in separate bombings through much of Monday in Sangin district. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

9 American invaders killed or wounded in Helmand bombings
Some five US invaders were killed and four were wounded in 7 consecutive blasts in Helmand’s Sangin district yesterday (July 26). Also Monday, Mujahideen hit one of the US invaders’ vehicle with RPG’s in this district. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

Blast in Helmand hits NATO tank
Mujahideen in Helmand’s Gerishk district got one of the NATO tanks torn apart with IED, killing all the emery soldiers and crew members in the tank yesterday night (July 26) at about 11:00 pm. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

15 puppets killed or wounded in Nimroz
Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirates, in an attack on the puppets’ military convoy in the province’s Khash Rowd district, killed or wounded about 15 enemy soldiers besides destroying two of the enemy vehicles on Tuesday (July 27) at about 2:00 pm. One of the Mujahideen is reported to have taken injuries during the attack. Reported by Zabihullah Mujahid

---

Other

Statement of the Islamic Emirate regarding the US setup of new “Local Militia” (PDF at non-terrorist site)

Sha’ban 14, 1431 A.H, Tuesday, July 27, 2010

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

General David Petraeus, the chief of invading forces in Afghanistan, has taken on a task, by the order of White house and Pentagon rulers, to increase notorious militia under the name “Local Force” against Mujahideen.

The right-wingers’ setup and expansion of Militia is a terrible and failed plan carried out at the time of Najeeb’s rule during the Communist Regime which not only resulted in fueling the racial prejudice and civil war but also brought that infamous regime to an end.

Now that the US invaders, in pursuit of former USSR, intends to repeat that terrible blunder and failed experience imposing the tragedies and the civil war of later 1900’s, on Afghan masses which is, in facet, horrible plan to pave the ways for the disintegration of Afghanistan, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan thinks it necessary to issue it is stance as follows:

1. The Afghan brave and honor-loving nation, which has constantly crushed the invading forces at different times in history and has always retained its Islamic identity and independence, should realize the fact that the invading forces in Afghanistan are threatened with the disgraceful defeat and want to back off and leave the scene in a way that our country should continuously remain at war one way or another, drawing the Afghan masses into racial, linguistic, regional and mutual differences. In view of these facts, the Afghan nation is reminded not join hands with the right-wingers in such disgusting plans and conspiracies.

2. The attempt by the US invaders to se up Local Militia is an indirect plot to disintegrate Afghanistan, therefore every individual Afghan, by fulfilling their nation-state’s duty, is bound to preserve their Islamic and national solidarity so as to foil this conspiracy.

3. The influential tribesmen and the scholars, in their respective areas, are responsible to make the ordinary civilians aware of this hostile plan and not let them be losers in the world and the Hereafter by falling prey to the abhorring conspiracy of the colonialism.

4. Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate, in collaboration with the nation, have to use every asset in their power to foil this plot and punish and keep a close eye on those support this program and join it.

5. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is certain that the Petraeus’ plan of forming new Local Militia would end up a failure because, on the one hand, our Islam-loving nation and Mujahideen’s advanced tactical warfare and the heroic martyrdom operations get in the their way of success, on the other hand, Mc Chrystal, prior to Petraeus, did the same thing in Provinces such as Wardag, Khost, Kunduz and so on, with the result in vain, even the outcome in some areas was quite the opposite. As the enemy is weaker than ever being threatened by defeat across the country, the futile efforts to set up the new Local Militia would not do them any good; on the contrary, it would certainly be doomed to a failure Insha Allah.

The Islamic Emirate Of Afghanistan

---

More on a Delicate, but Important Subject

The latest on how the Canadian Forces should deal with the issue of alleged rape of young boys by Afghan security forces.

Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff has signed a letter to the editor regarding recent coverage of the issue – here it is, for the record:

“The Canadian Forces are made up of some of the most professional and courageous troops in the world, and Canadians have every reason to be proud of their hard work and efforts in protecting Afghans.

I wish to make it clear that, as the Chief of the Defence Staff, I hold myself and all members of the armed forces to the highest standard of professional conduct. Indeed, the legitimacy of the Canadian military derives from its embodiment of the values, beliefs and laws of the nation we defend. We conduct our operations in compliance with our international legal obligations.

Equally, we expect members of Afghanistan’s security forces to meet their legal obligations, both national and international. Canada’s military and police personnel in Afghanistan are mentoring their Afghan counterparts about the importance of professional conduct, including compliance with the rule of law.

Only by demonstrating the highest standards of conduct will the Afghan security forces earn the trust of the Afghan people. While the responsibility for complying with their national and international legal obligations rests with the Afghans, I expect members of the Canadian Forces to bring breaches of the law by Afghan security forces to the attention of the appropriate authorities.

Once the Board of Inquiry referred to by Mr. Pugliese is completed, its findings and recommendations will be thoroughly reviewed and appropriate action taken.
I have every confidence that the members of the Canadian Forces, in the face of a very challenging security environment, are performing their very best to uphold our values.

General W.J. Natynczyk
Chief of the Defence Staff”

Bit of Tension in Canada’s Civilianization of AFG Mission

Another announcement showing Canada’s drift away from the mainly military nature of its mission in Afghanistan – the naming of a top cop:

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, William Elliott, today announced the appointment of Assistant Commissioner Graham Muir as the first Canadian Police Commander (CPC) in Afghanistan …. The appointment of the senior Canadian civilian police officer in Afghanistan will provide expertise at the national level to strengthen ANP capabilities. He will be stationed at the Canadian Embassy in Kabul and, as a member of the Embassy’s senior management team, will provide technical expertise and advice to Canada’s ambassador to Afghanistan on the reform of the ANP ….

Translation:  another civilian head office presence.

Meanwhile, more of the ongoing saga that is the reported tug-of-war between DFAIT and National Defence on their respective roles in Afghanistan, from Matt Fisher of CanWest News Service.