Mr. Chair, the curious part of this debate is the way in which the government has been tap-dancing away from financing anything to do with AFISMA. Obviously if we were a bit more involved with that initiative, as are other nations to the tune of $450 million, we might actually be into the second stage of this conflict, if you will, which is the hand-off from the French to the African-led initiative.
One of the disturbing aspects, and in the latter part of the response the hon. member made reference to it: the Malian army and how ethical training is of some concern, because we have learned to our great disappointment that if an army is not ethical, then the whole thing is lost.
I would be interested in the hon. member's comments with respect to the way in which Canada could be involved in the AFISMA initiative, and particularly with respect to the Malian army, whose casual regard for human rights may in fact be counterproductive to what we all want to see, which is peace, order and a democratic government in Mali.