Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Chair, I would submit that you cannot wave the flag of support for the forces but only ever offer criticism for the efforts that our Canadian Forces and our officials are making in Afghanistan. You cannot stand for human rights and equality while campaigning to abandon our efforts to ensure a permanent end to the abuse and oppression of the people of Afghanistan.
This meeting was called regarding alleged potential detainee abuse in Afghanistan, but there is a broader issue of abuse that we know, and that was documented under the Taliban.
My question is to Secretary of State Guergis. It's clear that many in the opposition are either unaware of or don't want the message of the significant gains that we are making in bringing human rights and equality to Afghanistan. Can you talk a little bit about what you witnessed on the ground in the first-hand testimony you heard when you were in Afghanistan?