Afghanistan committee  No.

Afghanistan committee  Yes, Mr. Chair, it is indeed a huge step for Canada to try to help democratic institutions gain ground in Afghanistan. The service is doing its part as far as the intelligence service, the NDS, is concerned.

Afghanistan committee  Yes, Mr. Chair.

Afghanistan committee  Exactly.

Afghanistan committee  Yes.

Afghanistan committee  We have provided training to the NDS, to the counter-terrorism capacity building.

Afghanistan committee  Yes, and I would like to point out that the training we provided them was not in terms of improving, for example, trade craft. The training we provided was management training and how to manage a security intelligence service in a democracy.

Afghanistan committee  If you're asking for my opinion--

Afghanistan committee  Based on my interaction, and having been there, yes, everybody is doing what they have to do according to international laws and everybody is doing the outmost to fulfill their respective mandates.

Afghanistan committee  Probably along with Somalia, it's the most dangerous place at this time.

Afghanistan committee  It's obvious, yes, it will.

Afghanistan committee  I will say a few words about our relationship with the National Directorate of Security. I can say that, as an intelligence service, it has made some progress.

Afghanistan committee  When we appear before the members of SIRC in a forum that is not public, the members have access to all the information we have.

Afghanistan committee  No, I said the basic principle was to respect the ministerial directive that states that we cannot rely on information obtained through torture. Again, I do not want to discuss hypothetical situations.

Afghanistan committee  Mr. Chair, I think the average Canadian would not accept that its intelligence service do nothing and let Canadian military or civilians be killed because we did nothing.