Tories won't promise Afghan combat role would end in 2011

The Conservative government has refused to say whether Canadian troops will be pulled out of combat in Afghanistan in 2011 if Parliament votes to let their mission run until then.

"When the government speaks of extending Canada's combat role to 2011, is this a withdrawal date or a renewal date?" Deputy Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff asked in the House of Commons during question period Monday. "Which is it, Mr. Speaker, a limited mission or an endless war?"

Peter Van Loan, the government House leader, replied: "Mr. Speaker, again, we're quite clear. The motion speaks to a date at the end of 2011 and —over the time up to that date — an effort to train and transition responsibility to the Afghan national army for security in their own country.

"Obviously our intent is to achieve that. We're not going to tie the hands of  a future Parliament. They will be able to review that. …

"But what we have to decide in this Parliament now is what we do until 2011. Do you support the mission in Afghanistan, or do you want the troops pulled out now? That's the question we'll be deciding."

MPs are expected to vote in March on a government motion to extend the mission. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has declared it a confidence vote that would trigger an election if the motion is defeated.

Under the government plan, Canada would agree to extend the Afghan mission past an existing 2009 expiry on two conditions: Another NATO country would have to send 1,000 troops to fight alongside the 2,500 Canadians, and Ottawa would have to procure transport helicopters and reconnaissance drones to help the force avoid ambushes.

The motion states "the results of progress in Afghanistan, including Canada's military deployment, will be reviewed in 2011."

Dion wants government to admit mistake

Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion said the Conservatives have let the mission drag on while accusing those who question it of being unpatriotic.

"For a year we have said that the government should notify NATO that the timeline of February 2009 must be respected, and that NATO should secure a replacement for our troops in Kandahar," Dion said. 

"It is only now that the government is seriously engaging NATO, and NATO seems surprised and unprepared by this sudden request from Canada.…Will the government not admit that it's repeating the same mistake with its motion in announcing a review for 2011 and not a firm deadline?"

Van Loan replied that the government based its plan on the advice of a panel led by John Manley, a former Liberal deputy prime minister.

"Mr. Speaker, I can assure the Liberal leader that no one at NATO is surprised. They've been very engaged with questions about Afghanistan, as are we.

"Following on the Manley report, we are putting a question to Parliament that this House of Commons is going to have to decide. The question is a very simple one: Do you support the military mission in Afghanistan or do you wish to see the troops withdrawn?"