Canada to deploy 950 military trainers and support staff to Afghanistan

2010-11-17 08:52:49 GMT+7 (ICT)

OTTAWA, CANADA (BNO NEWS) -- Canada on Tuesday announced that it will deploy 950 military trainers and support staff in Kabul, Afghanistan, in a three-year training mission.

Canadian Minister of National Defense Peter Mackay and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon announced the plan to support the establishment of Afghan security forces capable of keeping a peaceful and stable nation after the coalition forces eventually retire.

Instead of deploying soldiers to combat in the troubled regions, the Canadian government opted to dispatch personnel to bases around Kabul to lead Afghan soldiers in basic training exercises between 2011 and 2014.

NATO Secretary-General Andres Fogh Rasmussen welcomed the Canadian decision to deploy a substantial number of trainers to the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan. He also remarked the continuous contributions made over the years by the Canadian government to the mission.

"Canadian forces have made a real difference in the lives of the Afghan people, often at a high cost," NATO Secretary-General said. "This Canadian contribution of hundreds of trainers will help the Afghan security forces to more quickly become capable of securing their own country against terrorism and extremism - a goal we all share."

NATO and the United States expect that earlier next year Afghan forces will begin taking control of the security tasks throughout the country. However, NATO has set that in four years time all international forces will withdraw from Kabul.

"Our goal is not merely to do things for Afghanistan," said Minister Cannon. "It is also to help them to do things for themselves once more after decades of civil war and chaos."

The announced mission will cost Canada about $500 million per year for the supply and care of its soldiers. About $100 million annually will be allocated for the programs dealing with education and child and maternal health.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-11-17

Calls "Supply" and orders some more body-bags....

The Taliban will need them. Send in the drones!

I didn't realize Canada's military was that big.