Numbers

Imagine what the numbers would be like if the Government and DND could actually come up with a comprehensive communications strategy - and then execute it. With three months of work and one report Manley and the rest of the panel have accomplished what the Government has failed to do since the beginning of our Afghanistan involvement. Granted, Prime Minister Harper commissioned the report, but his motives are not exactly altruistic in this matter.

The current mission has suffered a lack of, or simply poor communication from day one. Canadians can understand tactical considerations or operational security as long as they are used judiciously and correctly. Blanket policy directives serve as nothing more than band-aids on an open political wound. We do the Canadian military a great injustice when we allow political parties of any stripe to use them for their partisan ends. Foreign Affairs, CIDA, DND and the PMO all have their finger in the pie, along with the opposition parties, NGO's, anti-war groups, human rights advocates and anyone else willing to step up to a microphone. The problem lies with no one knowing when to pull the finger out.

Support on rise
Canwest News Service
Published: Saturday, January 26, 2008

OTTAWA - The portion of Canadians who want Canadian troops to withdraw from Afghanistan has dropped seven points to 37 per cent in the aftermath of John Manley's report recommending a conditional extension of the military mission in Kandahar, says an Ipsos Reid poll released Friday.

The portion willing to extend the mission if the role shifts from combat to non-combat, such as training Afghan soldiers or police officers, has risen five points to 45 per cent since October.

The poll for Canwest News Service and Global National, conducted as Canadians digested the Manley recommendations earlier this week, suggests Canadians are open to an extension of a mission for non-combat purposes, said pollster John Wright. The 14 per cent of Canadians willing to extend the mission as is remained unchanged.

The pollsters found the majority of Canadians regard the Manley panel recommendations as fair (36 per cent) or good (29 per cent) or great (six per cent). Nearly a quarter (22 per cent) said Manley's proposals are a "bad plan" while seven per cent had no opinion.

David Bercuson, Director of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary, has an excellent suggestion in this piece. He suggests either a cabinet war committee or a special civilian adviser to oversee Canada's involvement in Afghanistan. Why not both? John Manley is already a Privy Councillor and well qualified to chair a cabinet committee formed for this purpose.