It’s essential to keep in mind that Canada’s effort in Afghanistan was initiated in the political environment that prevailed after 9/11. Like their American counterparts, important segments of this country’s corporate sector have jumped on the security bandwagon, promoting a sharp increase in the military’s influence over our politics and a beefed-up role for the arms industry in our economy. For example, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (formerly the Business Council on National Issues), whose membership includes almost 150 of the most powerful capitalists in Canada, is circulating a document entitled “North American Security and Prosperity” and argues for the creation of a “North American Defence Alliance”. According to the council, the United States is carrying a disproportionate part of the responsibility for protecting our continent. For the CEOs who make up the membership of the council, the fact that doing more to live up to Canada’s military “responsibilities” will provide their companies with lucrative investment and sales opportunities is strictly serendipitous.
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[Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on May 11, 2006]
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Canada In Afghanistan: Rash Afghanistan Mission Produces Corporate Profits
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Canadian troops capture Taliban suspects
Last Updated Thu, 11 May 2006 19:25:44 EDT
CBC News
Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan have captured 10 suspected Taliban fighters.
A suspected Taliban prisoner is searched, handcuffed and processed by members of the 1st Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, after a raid on a compound near Gumbad, north of Kandahar. (JOHN D MCHUGH/AFP/Getty Images)
* INDEPTH: Afghanistan
The capture came as Canadian troops were escorting a convoy to Gumbad, north of Kandahar, where Canada maintains a forward operating base.
The soldiers noticed two groups apparently conducting a reconnaissance of the area.
* PHOTO GALLERY: Afghan Detainees
CBC correspondent Peter Armstrong reported from Kandahar that Canadian units had been scouring the hills trying to flush out Taliban fighters.
The Canadians were given a tip that a group was hiding in a compound, "so troops moved in and essentially, without firing a shot," captured the men, Armstrong reported.
Members of 1st Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry carried out the raid. Ten suspects were subsequently handed over to the Afghan National Police.
"We've taken some bad guys off the street," Maj. Marc Theriault told a news briefing in Kandahar.
A photographer with Agence France-Presse was embedded with the unit and captured images of Canadian troops processing the detainees and taking them into custody.
At first, the Canadian military asked the photographer not to publish the images. Military officials said their lawyers reviewed the photos and thought they might be in violation of the Geneva Conventions, which says that a picture holding up a prisoner to ridicule may not be released.
Article 13 of the convention states: "Prisoners of war must at all time be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity."
However, the military later said it was up to the various news agencies to decide whether they wanted to publish the images.
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