Diana Chung: Afghan Mission

Diana Chung
June 8, 2007

Because of You, the World is Better
From the House of Commons to the conversations people have during a dinner, one question that often arises these days is: should the Canadian soldiers return from Afghanistan? Opinions vary as we view the problem form different points of view. Suppose Canada continues the mission instead of returning; there will of course be more casualties since the world is not perfect, but staying there will make a difference. Maybe ten or twenty years from now, the changes Canadians have made in Afghan society will be so obvious that whole world cannot but notice the positive changes in the Central Asia. Canada would also be recognized as the universal peace-maker because we give hope to those in need of help – those who suffer in societies where abuse of power and lack of freedom are everyday realities. These are assumptions of course, and as we analyze the situation from the opposite side, returning to Canada can also be a positive move in terms of the short term benefits we can receive. The government would not have to spend millions of dollars on military, thus focus more on our political issues such as the global warming or even tighten U.S – Canada relationship. Of course, families of the soldiers would definitely be happy to see their children come back safe and sound. Unfortunately, people do realize the fact that we could make more difference, as seen by the progress during the last five years of military service. Although a big Afghan mission resulted in the loss of many lives of Canadian soldiers and tears among their family members, Canadian mission in Afghanistan should continue because Canadians can make a difference, serve as the leader in peace-keeping, and also reveal the true identity of Canada.

James Laxer in his opinion article about Canadian mission in Afghanistan indicates that Canadians are highly skeptical about the mission in Afghanistan. Public polls and surveys suggest equal balance of two sides – opposing the mission and favouring the mission. He, however, raises concerns on the fact that realities of the mission have been “deceived from the very start.” The mission was first intended by the Chretien government to tighten the bond with the Bush administration after 9/11 attack. They had thought, Laxer says, that the mission would last only for a short period of time and that the roles of Canadians in the Afghan would not be influential. But as the Bush government attempted the first war with Iraq in 2003, obvious decision was made – the mission would last longer than originally intended. This decision was made due to Chretien’s refusal to assist the Brush administration in the Iraq war. Laxer also refers to deploying of more troops as the strategy to “cozy up Washington”. The position on Canada’s Afghan mission changed once more with the election of the Conservative minority government lead by Steven Harper. He also indicated that this mission once again was used by the Canadian government to gain and maintain healthy relationship with the Bush administration. Laxer also addresses the point that many casualties and deaths have occurred during the mission since 2001. He stresses the fact by comparing the number of casualties of other countries. He refers to this tragic result as “the political process that has never been transparent”. Canadians definitely have been deceived by the Chretien, Martin, and Harper government, Laxer says, about the issue of mission in Afghanistan. Laxer also believes the mission is not making any progress like the war in Iraq – terrorism has been more promoted through the Islamic region than ever before. He also compares the current mission to the failure of previous invasions of Afghanistan; there is no hope in settling the country in Central Asia. Lastly, Laxer mentions his definition of mission as helping Afghan economic system through support of money. Among the two components of funding, military and construction aid, 90% of the money was received by the military to carry on their violent mission. ‘Why not spend millions of dollars on reconstruction instead?’ is the question Laxer wants to ask Harper. He also argues that withdrawing from Afghanistan will “enable Canada to pursue a more independent foreign policy”, the one that is not hopelessly controlled by Washington.

Even though the so-called “deceptive mission” was not intended for long, as a peace-keeping and peace-making nation, Canada has immensely contributed to the way Afghanistan has changed. It is not true, as Laxer said, that we have not made any difference in Afghanistan except for more chaos. The Canadians overseas in Central Asia have and still are contributing effortlessly that has led to successful progress. Just within five years of mission, Afghans were able to experience the love of life, and most significantly, they gained hope, the hope that their country will not suffer from any more violence. Compassionate support from our courageous warriors will lead to more success and eventually recover the political and economical environment Afghanistan had before, or maybe even better. In contrast to Laxer’s view on “failure of mission”, I strongly believe that the mission in Afghanistan will not end in failure but rather will go down history as a resounding success because Canadians have contributed and supported many other countries before, including South Korea in the 1950’s to help regain peace. Canadian soldiers have always sacrificed themselves with passion and never given up. Laxer pointed in his article that “like previous invasions of Afghanistan, this one is ALMOST CERTAIN to end in failure, leaving an even more despoiled country to sort itself out”. There is nothing further from truth than this statement. The previous invasions were all done by foreign occupiers who pursued their own interests, aiming to colonize Afghanistan. However, labeling a liberating campaign under UN mandate whose only goal is to bring democracy to a war-ravaged country is certainly a misnomer. Leaving Afghanistan will not only leave the country in desperation but will abandon them in an isolated world where child hunger, poverty, political and economical unbalance will be perpetuated. Afghanistan needs help. Yes, there are other countries in mission but Canada’s contribution has a bigger and more influential role in peace-making. Certain objections must, of course, be considered: thousands of Canadian soldiers experienced tragic incidents where many of them closed their eyes before stepping once again on Canadian soil. However, Canada is not the sole country that suffered from loss of sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, and husbands and wives. In fact, deaths of comrades influence other Canadian soldiers to continue on their mission to help make Afghanistan a better country, fulfilling their duties to their friends. AS Prime Minister Harper mentioned in his speech during his visit to Afghanistan, the progress we Canadians have made was tremendous and it “could not have been possible unless our men& women in uniform put themselves on the line”.

Canadian mission not only benefit Afghanistan but also motivates other countries to support and help the country regain its political economical balance. Canada can be described as the leader in international efforts in Afghanistan. We provide development assistance, deploy diplomats, and send development workers, troops, and civilian police all to secure a better future for the Afghans. Although Afghanistan is a dangerous country, we must help them uncover the violent veil that hovers over the Central Asia as our Canadian forces provide secure environment for them all. The PRT, Provincial Reconstruction Team, assists in development affairs and “such achievements come only through the environment our troops are building [in Afghanistan], and from the training and mentoring they are providing the Afghanistan coalition, through this mission”. At this point one may wonder about the cost we put in for the mission, Undoubtedly, millions of dollars are used in supporting Afghan mission; however, the money is nothing compared to the amount of work Canadians have done overseas to motivate other countries to help Afghanistan. Canada is considered as a role model and a mentor for countries like Australia who provided 400 additional personnel to NATO-led mission. We should of course appreciate their support but be more proud of ourselves by making a huge difference in the progress of the mission which may lead to an earlier stabilization of the Afghan society. Australia also offered troops, resources, development and political efforts. In this way, Canada and other supporting countries of Afghanistan raise awareness of the desperate help Afghanistan needs. In addition, the mission also leads other countries by showing dedication. Our dedication and commitment reinforce other countries in mission and help them in case of need. We also motivate other NATO countries to continue with making a difference in Afghanistan. Even though European mission was “grudging form the start” as Laxer points out, the efforts of Canadians puts them in the missionary pathway that we all take.

Most importantly, the mission defines and reveals the identity of Canadians, making us unique compared to every other country and making us a proud nation. Opponents of this position argue that not all Canadians feel the same way. By this, they mean that families and casualties and soldiers who passed away will live in tears and sorrow. This argument however is not correct, for family members give moral support to each other and feel even more proud of their children for establishing a better social environment in Afghanistan. Through support, Canadians bond as one and stand strong as a nation that does not collapse when overcoming an obstacle in our way. Furthermore, Canadians and people around the world, especially people in Afghanistan become thankful to the Canadians soldiers and respect them for the sacrifice they had made. Because of them, Afghanistan experienced the institution of democratic elections, respect of human rights and freedom for women, development of education systems by construction of schools, health care facilities, and also the basic functional economy. This respect is evident even from a letter of a young girl to Royal Canada Dragoons in Pakistan border who stated “my mom wanted a country that was safe and where I would be able to learn, so we came to Canada. Thank you so much for staying to make my country a better place and tell your soldier friends that I said thank you”. The government is trying to maintain a good relationship with the U.S. through its participation in the Afghan mission this argument is not sufficient since the problem here does not lie on what the government had done but the enormous contributions and sacrifice Canada is making. The problem is not about the government – to truly understand the true nature Canadian mission in Afghanistan, one must consider advantages and disadvantages of the situation.

Thousand of people come together to say with one united voice to the soldiers in Afghanistan that “Canada is proud of you, and we are behind you.” Every week, sometimes everyday, news reporters notify people that a Canadian has died in an accident in Kandahar. Although this is not an exciting news, Canadians must consider the fact that we are saving more lives by sacrificing, more lives of those who do not live in the environment like ours. If of course would be a pleasure for soldiers to rejoin many of their families in their family pictures and laugh and share great moments with their friends. However, they suffer from separation from their families and the fear that they would not be able to smile and laugh with them anymore. Although it could be a disadvantage for some Canadian families, soldiers should and must continue on with the Afghan mission because as a leader of peace-making country, Canada encourages other countries to assist in the mission, and help uncover the dark veil that Afghan currently has. People around the world appreciate our contribution because when we all work together – Canada, NATO, and Afghanistan - we achieve real results.