I join my colleagues in thanking you, the panel, for your great work. It is a very complex matter, and you have tried to summarize it in your report. Of course, there are many issues related to the mission that I'm very concerned about, but there are a few that stand out in my mind.
The first concern I have is that there doesn't seem to be enough commitment from NATO and the west compared to their commitment in Yugoslavia, when they were dealing with that problem. That is both in the military and in the amount of aid dollars they're willing to invest in Afghanistan.
The second problem I have is that, yes, we have picked the most dangerous region to be in, but I don't think it's fair that just because we started in that region, we have to stick to it until the end. I think it's important that the other NATO members assist, step by step, and pick up that experience we've gained. Yes, we have to make an investment in it. But we also owe it to our troops and to our youth, as you have said, if we're putting their lives on the line, to make it our responsibility, politically and nationally, to get a fair bargain on our commitment rather than having Canadian soldiers do most of the heavy lifting. We continue to do that without bargaining for a better deal for our soldiers.
The third point I have is that you talk about a diplomatic effort in the region. Many of the witnesses who have come to this committee have mentioned reconciliation and a democratic effort in parallel with our military effort, led by the United Nations. I think Canadians might even have a role on that front.
Those are the three points that linger in my mind.