Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Ministers and officials, thank you for being here.
My question will be about the ongoing training mission in Afghanistan.
I was glad to hear you, Minister, and Mr. Christopherson as well, highlight the fact that our mission in Afghanistan is not over. There is sometimes a danger for our friends in the media, and certainly Canadians at large, to think that because of ceasing combat operations we no longer have folks who are there in harm's way. Certainly I have constituents there on the training mission, one of whom you promoted when you were visiting Kabul. It was certainly an honour for him.
I know you have had some very strong things to say recently about certain tragic events: 16 civilians being killed, and also an issue with the desecration of a Koran, etc. I want to give you an opportunity to echo those sentiments before this committee.
Also, in the supplementary estimates there are requests for additional funding for the training mission. Could you touch on where we are with that mission? What are some of our notable accomplishments? And finally, are we seeing that the Afghan National Army is going to be ready for the task in front of them by the time 2014 rolls around?