Manley Commission Off the Mark Panel Report Brings No Clarity About Canada's Role In Afghanistan

Toronto, January 22, 2008: The Canadian Peace Alliance (CPA), Canada's largest peace network, says the Independent Panel on Canada's role in Afghanistan is inadequate in its analysis of the situation in Afghanistan and provides flawed recommendations. The panelists, which represent a very small sector of pro-George Bush Canadians have delivered a pre-ordained document designed to support the Conservative government's position.

"This is essentially a re-hash of previously published recommendations with few variations," Said Sid Lacombe, Coordinator of the CPA. "The analysis in the report is paper thin and contains glaring omissions about the real nature of instability and security in Afghanistan. Chiefly, the report fails to adequately recognize the corruption and violence of the Canadian-supported drug-lord government."

The report doesn't even mention the violence of ongoing NATO bombardments that are one of the main causes of the growing resistance. While there is some discussion of the problems of reconstruction and a recommendation for more development aid, key issues such as the relationship between reconstruction and the military are not addressed.

Military estimates from the UK and the US have already stated that NATO is losing the war and that its strategy is not only wrong but also a failure. The government of Canada cannot bring itself to accept that fact and Canadian soldiers will continue to pay the price.

It is the position of the CPA that the violence in Afghanistan will continue to worsen under the NATO occupation that results in thousands of people being killed or disappeared each year. No country will achieve stability and security under the thumb of foreign occupiers in support of corrupt governments. The only moral choice is to bring the troops home now.

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For more information please contact: Sid Lacombe, Coordinator of the Canadian Peace Alliance - 416-588-5555 (office) 416-333-7567 (cell)

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