PROTECTING CANADA, REBUILDING AFGHANISTAN

September 22, 2006

Afghan President Hamid Karzai today rose in the House of Commons and thanked the people of Canada for their sacrifice and continued commitment to the security and development of his country.

President Karzai’s address to Parliament comes one day after Prime Minister Stephen Harper reemphasized the importance of the U.N. mission in Afghanistan at a speech at the U.N. General Assembly.

The U.N.-sanctioned, NATO-led mission in Afghanistan:

• Protects Canadians by clearing out terrorist sanctuaries;
• Reinforces Canada’s role as a leader in the fight for democracy and human rights; and
• Fulfills a global promise to rebuild the shattered Afghan state.

As President Karzai noted today: "Terrorism sees, in the prosperity of the Afghan people, its ultimate defeat."

Canada is a nation that meets its commitments and honours its promises. The current mission in Afghanistan represents the best of Canadian tradition and deserves the support of all parties in the House of Commons.

"If the greatness of a life is measured in deeds done for others, then Canada’s sons and daughters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan stand among the greatest of their generation."

- Afghan President Hamid Karzai, September 22nd, 2006