Canada should indefinitely extend its military mission in Afghanistan, but only on condition of additional equipment and more support from other countries, says a high-profile panel headed by former Liberal cabinet minister John Manley.
The panel also suggests gradually refocusing the mission on reconstruction, training and diplomacy rather than combat.
The blue-ribbon panel concluded that Afghanistan's security situation has been deteriorating amid increased insurgent attacks, but noted that the country has also made economic and social progress.
“Many would have preferred us to find a basis on which to recommend an end to the Canadian military roles by a certain date,” the report states.
“The hard truth is that an ISAF [International Security Assistance Force] retreat from Afghanistan, before that country's own forces can defend its security, would most likely condemn the Afghan people to a new and bloody cycle of civil war and misrule – and raise new threats to global peace and security.
The military mission in the war-torn country is due to end in February 2009, but the 90-page report says the mission should be extended if:
• A new battle group – about 1,000 soldiers – is deployed by the ISAF to Kandahar province, enabling Canadian forces to accelerate training of the Afghan National Army.
• The government secures new, medium-lift helicopters and high-performance unmanned aerial vehicles by February 2009.
“The most damaging and obvious deficiency in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan is the insufficiency of the military forces deployed against the insurgents,” the panel wrote.
Harper must 'step up'
At a press conference, Mr. Manley said the Prime Minister must “step up” and make the Afghan mission a top priority by appointing a cabinet committee responsible for the co-ordination of Canada's efforts.
“Even more important, [Mr. Harper] must personally lead our diplomatic initiative, making our voice heard to a degree commensurate with our contribution. He should urge the international community get its act together both in Afghanistan and with other key countries in the regions,” Mr. Manley added.
“The mission is in jeopardy,” he told reporters. “We are going to need to see more troops in Kandahar province or this mission will not succeed.”
Mr. Harper, who called the report “substantial,” said the government will respond to the recommendations later in the week.
“The government has every intention of looking at it carefully in detail,” he said. “We'll respond thoroughly within the next few days.”
CIDA
The report is critical of the Canadian International Development Agency, suggesting its reconstruction efforts are hampered not only by the dangerous security environment in Kandahar, but by the agency's “own administrative constraints.”
Little of CIDA's funding in Afghanistan flows to locally managed “quick-action projects that bring immediate improvements to everyday life for Afghans,” says the report, which calls for more targeted aid, including a “signature project” such as a hospital or major irrigation project.
The panel notes that CIDA staffers in Kandahar do not often venture beyond their base.
“It makes little sense to post brave and talented professional staff to Kandahar only to restrict them from making regular contact with the people they are expected to help,” they wrote.
The panel noted that only 47 Canadian government civilians are working in Afghanistan, compared with 2,500 soldiers.
The panel said there must also be better tracking of the effectiveness of military and civilian intervention in Afghanistan, and that Ottawa must “rebalance” its communications with Canadians to provide “more information and analysis on the diplomatic and reconstruction-development dimensions.”
Behind the scenes
The report is sure to reignite debate over one of the thorniest issues facing Parliament and the Conservatives.
Polls suggest most Canadians would like to see Canadian troops come home as scheduled next year.
Mr. Harper has promised a vote on the mission's future, and Canada's NATO allies need to be informed by May or June at the latest.
