Thank you for that.
Mr. Colvin, before I start, I would like to just give a brief statement, which I think is an assistance to yourself, sir.
Before we proceed with the hearing today I wish to inform the witness that members of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan met on Monday, November 16, 2009, in order to discuss a number of important issues concerning our hearings.
It is the desire of the whole committee to thoroughly examine issues surrounding the transfer of Afghan prisoners. As chair of the special committee on Afghanistan, and on behalf of all of its members, I would like to inform you of the following. Should a witness appearing before this committee believe that their response to a question from a member might in any way compromise national security, endanger our men and women serving abroad, or damage international relations, then he or she should say so immediately. In a case such as this, I will then, as chair, ask the witness to briefly explain their concern, and offer the opportunity to answer that question in camera at the end of the session.
Do you understand, sir?
Thank you very much.
The usual procedure, sir, is you give an opening statement and then we go into rounds of questions from the committee.
Go ahead, sir.