Mr. Speaker, according to government officials, the U.S. and NATO counter-insurgency operations in which we are now involved in Afghanistan claimed the lives of 60 civilians this week. Since U.S. and NATO forces invaded five years ago, this marks the deadliest week for Afghan civilians. We also heard this week reports of starving Afghan women and children, whole families.
I ask the Prime Minister, with only one dollar going to aid for every $9 going to the combat effort, is it any wonder that civilian deaths and starvation are on the rise while security and stability are on the decline?