Afghan Mission Likely To Grow

Canada, which already has about 2,200 soldiers in Afghanistan, is unlikely to directly meet NATO's call. Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor said in an interview from New Zealand yesterday that he expected the additional resources requested by the alliance to come from other countries. But the number of Canadian troops on the ground still seems destined to climb. “About a week ago when I was in Afghanistan, I asked our military to look at our situation to see whether we can improve the effectiveness of the Provincial Reconstruction Team or any other adjustments and they are looking at that now,” Mr. O'Connor said. “When I get back to Ottawa next week I will get their initial assessment of what should be adjusted. So it's a matter of internal assessment as opposed to NATO.” In addition, the Canadian military is preparing to send new equipment to the Afghan battlefields, and new equipment generally demands the deployment of additional personnel who are trained to use it. Military spokesmen would not specify yesterday what type of equipment was on its way. But troops on the front lines in the Panjwai region of Kandahar are convinced that the Defence Department is sending them 10 Leopard tanks. The tanks will be welcomed by the soldiers who say the heavy machines can plow through the mud walls and deep irrigation ditches of Panjwai. At the moment they're relying on a bulldozer they borrowed from the local authorities. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060909.wxafghan09/BNStory/Afghanistan/home

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