Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Briefly on Mr. McGuire's comments, I recall distinctly when it was first announced that Canada was going to Afghanistan. It was on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving 2001, and the announcement was made unilaterally by the Prime Minister. There was no debate in the House of Commons; the troops were just sent in. The recent debate was the first opportunity we had to debate Afghanistan.
Dr. Bercuson clearly articulated the answer to this question, so I'll ask it of Dr. Bland. Would he state for the record why the mission in Afghanistan is of national interest to Canada?