Afghanistan - Setting the Group of 4 record straight

Dear Friends;

We have come under some criticism lately, accused of attempting to change Green Party policy on the subject of Afghanistan.  I suggest that some people are either not reading Vision Green or reading it very selectively.  Vision Green does NOT advocate a complete and final withdrawal of our military from Afghanistan.

 To directly quote Vision Green::

 “.... we do not support further Canadian participation in the NATO-led COMBAT mission to Southern Afghanistan, but neither do we believe that all of our troops should be withdrawn from Afghanistan.

...  We support, as part of our withdrawal from the NATO mission, a continued small Canadian security presence, to further the development of the logistics support functions of the Afghan National Army, in order to accelerate their independent operational capacity.

...  Give notice of withdrawal from the NATO  (COMBAT) mission in Southern Afghanistan. ....  working with all parties and maintaining a ground force in peacekeeping and security

 Invest in more robust diplomatic efforts .... etc ....

 We are attempting to use language that meets these aims that is not so confrontative and more diplomatic.  We do not wish to alienate ourselves from western nations and partners, or from nations in conflict zones who desperately need help, or form nations we wish to develop relations based on human rights, environmental responsibility and economic development. We cannot turn our back on human suffering.

 In brief, we want to restructure our mission (get back to peacekeeping practices), cease our COMBAT role RAPIDLY if not yesterday, and focus on diplomacy, development, and security  (to include assistance to building national security capacities).

 Where do we differ? NOWHERE!  We want rapid withdrawal from the combat mission as much as anyone, even more so.  We just want to use language that is more constructive to the many relationships involved and more constructive to the advancement of peace, rather than scoring political points..

 In the cause of peace ;

 Sylvie Lemieux Glengarry Prescott Russell

Paul Maillet Ottawa Orleans

Akbar Manoussi Ottawa Vanier

Qais Ghanem Ottawa South

 http://paulmailletgreenpartyorleans.wordpress.com