Thank you, General, for the great briefing you gave us.
I would echo the respect that Canadians have for you and the soldiers in the field. Every Christmas, every December, I am asked to go to schools to collect Christmas gifts and cards to bring back to your department and to pass on to the soldiers in the field. Occasionally, the students get a reply from the soldiers, and they're very happy to see that. So through you, to the soldiers in the field, the next time you're there, let them know that those reply cards are very welcome.
I have two questions for you, General.
The witnesses who have come to the committee, particularly from the NGO sector, have been saying there are increases in the hostility or indiscriminate nature of the Taliban's attacks in the south. So my question to you, General, is whether that is the case. Do you expect to be able to contain the increases in those attacks? They are saying those attacks are jeopardizing the achievements we have been able to attain so far.
The second question I have, General, is that you talk about welcoming NGOs, international NGOs, to the southern part and to Kandahar. In my riding, there are some NGOs willing to go to work with local NGOs there and to deliver some support to the locals in the south. Do you think it's safe enough for Canadian volunteer workers to go to work in the Kandahar region at this moment?
Thank you.