Canada’S Role In Afghanistan Underestimated

Sproule also addressed the issue of the narcotics trade in the country. “Estimates are that 60 per cent of the Afghanistan economy is based in one way or another on the narcotics trade. This dependency makes it very, very difficult to extricate Afghanistan from what could be a very insidious mix between the insurgents and the drug lords,” he said. Sproule said that Canada is involved in providing alternative crop choices for farmers who are involved in growing poppies for use in the manufacture of narcotics. He said that he feels that Canada’s presence is both necessary and beneficial to Afghanistan. “Don’t underestimate the challenges that we face, and don’t underestimate the accomplishments that have been achieved already. In Afghanistan in the last four years, the per capita income has almost doubled. There is more security for the average Afghan than they have experienced in the last 25 years. Women have rights and a life that they never enjoyed under the Taliban. Schools are being put up,” he said. Sproule’s presentation on Canada’s role in Afghanistan was met by a small group of protestors who carried signs reading ‘Canada out of Afghanistan’ and ‘occupation is a crime.’ The protest was organized by the World People’s Resistance Movement (Winnipeg). Three police officers were also present, and one said, “I’d assume that since you guys are anti-occupation, you’re also anti-violence,” before leaving. “It has nothing to do with democracy; it has to do with power and domination,” McKay said. McKay said that rather than simply raising awareness, the goal of the group is to motivate students to action. “We’ve just got to show people that what Canada is doing in Afghanistan is not what it’s being painted out to be,” he said. “It’s a dictatorship, dressed up as the best thing in the world.” http://www.umanitoba.ca/manitoban/2005-2006/0329/2702.canadas.role.in.afghanistan.underestimated.ambassador.php

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