Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, General, for being with us today. I really appreciate your presence at the committee.
In recent weeks we have heard all kinds of suggestions from all quarters of the country calling for different action to be taken in Afghanistan. The most interesting comments I've heard have come from the leader of the NDP, suggesting that we remove our troops, that we cut and run, so to speak.
My first question of several would be, what impact would withdrawing our troops from Afghanistan have on, first of all, our troops; second, our international reputation; and third and most importantly, the safety and security of Canadians in Canada and around the world?