Canada can’t withdraw from Afghanistan by deadline: senators

[Fade]

Canada can’t withdraw from Afghanistan by deadline: senators
Mike Blanchfield, Canwest News Service

OTTAWA -- There is no way Canada will be able to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by 2011, Conservative and Liberal senators said Wednesday.

"I don't think all the troops will be out of there in 2011," said Conservative Senator Michael Meighen, of the Senate's national security and defence committee.

"I don't think there's any chance of being out of there in three years," added Liberal Senator Colin Kenny, the committee's chairman.

Both senators offered that assessment as their committee made public its latest report on progress in Afghanistan. In March, after much negotiation by the Conservative and Liberal parties, the House of Commons voted to extend the mission by two years to 2011, averting a federal election over the war.
Story continued.... (http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=580385)

[simple jumper]

Even *if* we withdraw the main contingent by 2011 we'll have boots on the ground for long after. Think of how long we were in the Golan Heights or Bosnia-Herzegovina.
PRTs will most likely stay in place for a while after to help rebuild and re-establish, although our main combat numbers will be reduced there will surely still be some business to take care of. Which is hopefully good news for me.

[gdamadg]

Which is hopefully good news for me.

Don't worry, you'll get the opportunity to get dirty and get something shiny for your uniform. :roll: p-)

[ex Strathcona]

who cares what senators say about anything, did you elect them to represent you and speak on your behalf? or did some unpopular Prime Minister looking to repay some one for some dubious favours they may have done them in the past appoint them. Where they can sit in that chamber for as long as they feel like it interfering and manipulating as they see fit.