I would like to talk to you about Mr. Karzaï because the election will be held in late August. I sense that the Americans are somewhat impatient when it comes to Mr. Karzaï. Everyone knows about the argument he had with Mr. Biden. In the NATO circles that we travel in, often we hear people within the American delegation expressing the hope that a candidate might run against Mr. Karzaï.
As for you, you are constantly rubbing shoulders with the five ministers who make up the inter-ministerial committee. We have the committee's report here, and it was very well done. Furthermore, there is one provision, or rather, a chapter, that talks a great deal about governance. Is Canada also lacking patience when it comes to Mr. Karzaï? I do not want to interfere with the Afghan democratic system, but we must acknowledge that ever since he became president, the situation has not changed very much, and many people have lost confidence in him. People still call him the Mayor of Kabul because he has a great deal of difficulty extending his authority beyond Kabul.
In your opinion, would the Canadian government look favourably upon another person running against Mr. Karzaï? Has the Canadian government lost patience with Mr. Karzaï, as has the American government?