Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper told U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday that Canada will not extend its mission in Afghanistan without more troops from NATO, government officials said.
"Prime Minister Harper spoke today with President Bush about Afghanistan and the report of the Manley panel" in a phone conversation, a spokesman for Harper said, referring to the independent commission led by former Liberal deputy prime minister John Manley.
The prime minister "underscored that, unless Canada was able to meet the conditions specified by the panel of additional combat troops and equipment from NATO allies, Canada's mission in Afghanistan will not be extended," the spokesman said.
Harper's phone conversation with Bush came after he endorsed the Manley panel's findings that Canada's military mission should continue after its mandate ends in February 2009, but only if additional manpower is provided by NATO and more equipment by Ottawa.
Canada's 2,500 soldiers are based in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar region as part of NATO's 37,000-troop mission to fight Taliban remnants. Since 2002, 78 Canadian soldiers have died there.
Harper appointed an independent five-member panel in October to review Canada's role when its mission expires in February 2009.
The panel said on Jan. 22 that Canadian troops should stay and focus on training Afghan forces, while calling on NATO send about 1,000 troops to help Canada in the Kandahar province as a condition.
Harper has favored extending Canada's military role while opposition parties say the combat mission should end by the February 2009 deadline with the focus then shifting to aid and development. Harper has promised a vote in the parliament on the matter.
Meanwhile, a NATO spokesman on Wednesday praised Canada's role in Afghanistan and pledged to find more troops.
In Washington, deputy White House press secretary Tony Fratto said Wednesday in a statement "The two leader (Harper and Bush) discussed the requirements to sustain the current mission and how to ensure its continued success, including needs for additional troops and equipment."
"The president noted the deployment of 3,200 additional U.S. Marines to Afghanistan, as well as his continued commitment to work with NATO to enhance its commitment to the Afghanistan mission," Fratto said.
Source: Xinhua
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