Afstan: What you won't be reading in your paper today

Unless it's the Edmonton Sun or the Guelph Mercury. A good news CP story about Canadian troops and tactics:

Chaos created by international troops roaring through Kandahar City on military convoys needs to be reigned in, Afghan elders said Tuesday, and they're counting on Canada's military leadership to do the job.

The elders applauded Canadian efforts to make connections with civilians on the ground, such as a simple yet profound gesture to honour the families of two Afghans killed by coalition troops.

Canadian troops weren't involved in the men's deaths earlier this month. But a presentation made by Canadian soldiers to compensate their families won the respect of several local elders who say Canada should teach other international forces to respect Afghan customs.

"We know that when a suicide bomb hits a Canadian convoy, the Canadians aren't going to start shooting at everyone on the streets," said Kandahar's provincial governor Asadullah Khalid.

"But we must be able to say that of other forces as well."

City elders, along with provincial and national politicians, met Tuesday with Brig.-Gen. Tim Grant, the commander of Canada's current mission in Afghanistan, to discuss ways to mitigate the impact of military convoys on the residents of Kandahar City...

"We feel that Canadian forces are different than other forces," said Khalid, "and the issue we have right now is to work with you and with international troops to find a solution to this problem."

American and British officials have approached Canadians to receive training on tactics for navigating Kandahar's crowded streets, said Grant.

"They are very comfortable that we are operating effectively in the city, more effectively than they are," he said in an interview.

"The end result of some of the other allies moving through Kandahar City have been catastrophic."..

Tuesday's meeting was a highlight of Canadian-Afghan relations, with local elders clearly feeling comfortable enough with Canada's military mission in the city to approach them to discuss the problems in the city, even though the problems were not directly caused by Canadians.

Grant called it proof Canadians are winning the trust of Afghans and said he hopes it is a relationship that will continue to grow.

Via Norman's Spectator (good on him).