Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to both our guests who are here this afternoon to enlighten us on their perspective of what's been happening in Afghanistan.
I have a number of questions, but what intrigued me the most during Mr. Bland's presentation was his comment about.... Actually, I think it was almost a rhetorical question about the accusations by some members of the opposition, including the leader of the NDP, that we're a lapdog to the President, to use your words.
Could both our guests elaborate on what exactly you're trying to communicate to this committee when you say it's a matter of Canadians recognizing that three prime ministers and all these other leaders have sent our troops there? What's the point you're trying to make? How would you respond to calls by the NDP leader to cut and run at this time?