Canadian Soldiers are dying in Afganistan to guard unfinished roads. Why???

Question

The relief agency responsible for providing the money to purchase the supplies needed to finish the roads is withholding the funds (countless millions of dollars) on the grounds it's too dangerous to send the supplies. Meanwhile troops are dying - guarding roads that cannot be finished! Isn't this similar to what comes first - the chicken or the egg?

Answer 1

Canada has two missions in Afghanistan as it stands. One is the Provincial Reconstruction Team, or the PRT, and our complement under ISAF, which is a NATO-, not UN-, led venture.

Thos men who are dying protecting roads under construction are there to ensure that the contractors can do their jobs. Believe it or not, we are rebuilding those roads. We are trying to connect the rest of Afghanistan to Kabul. It does not happen overnight , make no mistakes, and when there are elemetns within Afghanistan who would rather kill their own people than see their power base eroded by ease of contact with the capital and the authority it represents, off course the construction sites will be attacked.

And to everyone thinking that Canada should withdraw, you are not doing the Military, including your loved ones out there, any service. If anything, you are starting by dishonoring the sacrifice made by the 42 who have died back there. Second, if Canada pulls out, it's game over for the Canadian Forces. We will be turned into a heavily armed police force, primarily equipped with shovels, so that Toronto will have access to a large manning pool to dig it out of a snowbank next time there is a snowfall before the snow-removal contract kicks in. Just as Canada will be finished on the international scene. Our commitment to Afghanistan has started to pull us out off the pit that the Liberals dug for us and we are starting to be seen as a player in international affairs once more. If Canada abandons Afghanistan, we'll fall right back in that same hole, but this time it'll get filled up over our heads.

As for why are Canadian soldiers dying, it is because we are fighting a determined foe that just doesn't know when to quit. But make no mistakes, we are winning this. We can reach our end-goal of Afghanistan as a secure country that can stand on its own two feet, where the rule of law exists and people will not have to worry about being conscripted in a warlord's army, be forced to grow opium poppies for a local drug lord, or be beheaded because they do not subscribe to another's views of religion. Soldiers die, unfortunately it is expected of us to make the ultimate sacrifice if it comes down to it.

Honor our men men women out there, do not coddle them. It is our job to face these foes, even if it seems pointless at times. But it is because we have those 2200 men and women on the ground that we are making life better for Afghanistan.

Answer 2

Just to dispel some rather odd comments here, I'd like to remind you that Canadian troops are in Afghanistan under the United Nations flag and we are not the only nation taking causalities there.

Canada has been a member of the UN for many of years and has taken causalities before. We have served in Korea, Lebanon, Cyprus, Somalia etc.... over the years and have done so with pride in our peace keeping roles.

We have put out aid and troops to foreign countries in times of emergency, such as hurricanes, tidal waves, famine relief, etc.... and have earned respect for our nation around the world.

When I travel to other countries and people learn that I am Canadian I have found that in general I am treated with respect because of the efforts my nation has put into peace keeping and humanitarian roles.

Try visiting grave sites in Holland. Go to the Canadian Military Cemeteries there and you will observe that they are very well maintain by the Dutch citizens. Then go visit the American Military Grave sites and see the weeds and general lack of repair of the crosses there..........

What does this show?....... The survivors of world War II in Holland have respect for the Canadians who did not return home. Ever wonder why? Well part of the reason is the simple fact the Royal Canadian Air Force dropped food and aid packages to the Dutch on their return trips from bombing Berlin. Another reason is the fact that Canada sustained the heaviest losses on D-Day. They remember watching what Canadians did for their nation......They also remember the other nation's planes over head that did not bother with aid to their population in times of crises.....

Just so you don't thing I am some crazy Conservative nut job trying to wave a flag....... I agree with your statement of the obvious, why are OUR troops dying defending empty roads? I guess that has been what our troops have been assigned to do unfortunately.

Seems a shame to waste our skills in the area of humanitarian relief and peacekeeping efforts just to guard roads while we wait for them to be rebuilt and supplies to arrive but that is not our choice nor is it the choice of our troops. It is up to the man in charge of the UN Task force in Afghanistan ( I believe he is a British General ) to make these decisions. For good or bad he is in charge there.

I guess what I'm trying to get across here is the fact that Canadians have always stood up to be counted on in times of need and this is no different. I know our troops over there ( My niece's Ex husband included ) will serve their time with honour and distinction just as all our troops have done in passed peacekeeping efforts (My Grandfather, my Father, 3 Uncles and 2 Cousins. A total of 46 years of service ), just so that the rest of us can enjoy want it means to be a "Canadian".

I appreciate what Canada has achieved over the years and enjoy the benefits when I am abroad, but it is a shame that other nations can't seem to get past that greedy little attitude of "What's in it for me?" so they can do their fair share.............

Answer 3

The relief agency in charge should expedite the provisioning of funds to avoid further death of Canadian soldiers.

Answer 4

i imagine this is awful. each and every man or woman death for the lies and deception positioned forth by technique of my idiotic President, and PMBlair to justify this unlawful conflict and one which any such enormous volume of different international locations were bullied into transforming into a member of, is a terrible, terrible mistake. the concept replaced into incorrect, the guidelines misdirected, the invasion unlawful, the occupation immoral and an absolute failure. They purchase time with 0.5-truths distorted and magnified into absolute actuality and deny the actuality with the lenses of irrational and immorality on the fee of human lives, Canadian protected. in the intervening time, so-called "terrorism" has carried out its paintings and could proceed to achieve this in the U.S. and the oh-so timid, led-by technique of-the-nostril, Western international locations who do not comprehend sufficient to comprehend that extra anybody is killed and injured by technique of drowning and swimming injuries than each and every of the terrorists in the finished international practice. we've a concepts extra to worry because of our personal leaders than we do from any 17 november overseas or significant different and children. era.

Answer 5

Well reppinca can't say much that will complement your answer here here very good response, with out a rude comment thumbs up.

Answer 6

Canada should pull out!

Why do we have to be american republican lap dogs?

This whole venture is just sad and too many people have died on every side ... we should resume our role as peace keepers that people respect that hsould be our only role abroad

Answer 7

Ask that question to you'r Canadian PM!!

Answer 8

**** Cheney can't send money to Haliburton if you leave. Don't be unpatriotic.

Answer 9

Canada has an army?