Evidence of meeting #22 for National Defence in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was afghanistan.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Commander , Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Department of National Defence
That's correct. Exactly.
Bloc
Commander , Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Department of National Defence
Yes.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
He gets them from you.
General Hillier gives them to you, and then you forward them on.
Commander , Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Department of National Defence
That's correct. Yes.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
I see.
If I were to say that since the day troops arrived in Kandahar, the mission has become far too military and defence-focused, as opposed to focused on development and diplomacy — one might refer also to the 3D —, would you agree with me?
Commander , Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Department of National Defence
I would ask the question: focused in what sense?
We have a campaign plan, with three pillars — or three lines — of operation, two of which are to provide military support in the areas of reconstruction, governance, capacity building, etc. The reality out in the field in southern Afghanistan is such that, first and foremost, we must conduct our operations with a view to providing a safe environment in which reconstruction agencies and components can function.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
So, the protection you're providing today is above and beyond that which you provided the first day you arrived in Kandahar.
Commander , Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Department of National Defence
I would say so.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
You would say so. Perhaps that's the reason we are now sending 20 tanks and why we just deployed personnel from the 22nd Royal Regiment in order to protect the Provincial Reconstruction Team in question. Is that correct?
Commander , Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Department of National Defence
As it turns out, the purpose of the Royal 22nd Regiment Company is to provide support in restoring security and governance so that the Provincial Reconstruction Team is able to engage in districts and villages all throughout the province.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
I see. So, that means that the 2,000 or 2,200 additional soldiers are really there to hunt the Taliban.
Commander , Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Department of National Defence
I wouldn't say that, no.
Commander , Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Department of National Defence
Commander , Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Department of National Defence
They provide support, obviously for the...
How do you say air field, in French, Mr. Bachand?
Commander , Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Department of National Defence
I am referring to the Operational Mr. Speaker, Mentor and Liaison team which we refer to in English as OMLT.
Commander , Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Department of National Defence
No, there are 64 people, Mr. Bachand, as I said a few moments ago. But, it's true, the vast majority of Canada's operational force in Afghanistan today is there to provide security in order to pave the way for reconstruction and development.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Sure, but there are many ways of safeguarding security. I've seen your troops in action, they set up security perimeters. Such control zones are intended to be a defensive measure, but I think that in your mind, they mean more than that. In your opinion, ensuring security, also means going on the offensive and cleaning up Taliban's pockets. Is this a good interpretation of what you believe?
Commander , Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Department of National Defence
No. Control zones are the top priority, you have to establish a military presence. This military presence doesn't necessarily need to be Canadian. It may take the form of the Afghan military or police. So, we're not exclusively talking about the military.
When I refer to the progress made since February 2006, I have in mind the way things were when we first arrived in the Kandahar province that month. At that time, an American force based exclusively at Kandahar Airport was deployed. Today, there are forces spread out across several regions of the province of Kandahar. This is progress. I'm not saying that there is fighting going on everywhere, rather, we are restoring security to many of these areas.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Canada is contributing to the autonomy of the Afghan army by providing it with trainers. Didn't you say earlier that there were 15 trainers?