CanadaÂ’s defence minister urged parliament on Monday to keep its 2,500 troops in Afghanistan until 2011, warning that an earlier withdrawal could lead its NATO allies to abandon the shaky nation too.
| At which point NATO can just fold its tent and go quietly into that good night, an organization whose time has gone. |
“This is perhaps the most important debate facing our parliament and our nation today,” Defence Minister Peter MacKay said at the start of a parliamentary debate on whether to extend the military mission or exit. “The consequences of pulling Canada’s military out of Afghanistan could have a far-reaching effect or a domino effect on others,” he said. “If we were to pack up and leave Afghanistan, why wouldn’t other nations follow suit?” “How would history judge us if Canada walked away from Afghanistan?” |