Dion's Afghanistan Balancing Act Could Be Toppled By Internal Tensions

Layton wants a full withdrawal of Canada's 2,500 troops from Afghanistan. Harper has embraced the John Manley panel recommendations for an extension of the combat role on condition NATO sends 1,000 more troops and Ottawa sends more equipment. Dion wants an end to combat activities in a year's time and reassign troops to training and to security activities for civilian protection, development and reconstruction. He warns against a "never-ending mission" and notes that the former Liberal government that sent troops to Afghanistan to begin with committed Canada to the Afghanistan Compact, which expires in 2011. The compact is an international agreement to help restore Afghanistan. ... http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=7bc9a608-0209-4077-a8a8-8b6812ab0fdf

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