Afstan report by Senate Committee on National Security and Defence

By milnewstbay at Milnet.ca (his highlights):

Highlights mine.....

How Are We Doing in Afghanistan? Canadians Need to Know

Report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, 10 Jun 08
Report link - .pdf version of report

(....) Committee Recommendations:

1. In order to better improve its communications strategy with the Canadian public regarding Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, the Committee recommends that:

a. The Prime Minister of Canada speak regularly to Canadians nation-wide, through radio and television broadcasting, about Canada’s objectives in Kandahar and in Afghanistan as a whole; and

b. The Government of Canada table in both Houses of Parliament a progress report on Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, including Canadian efforts in Kandahar, every six months reiterating goals, outlining benchmarks, progress and challenges. Further, in order for the Government of Canada to ensure that Canadians are informed of the findings within these reports, the Committee recommends that these reports be followed by a “fireside chat” by the Prime Minister through radio and television broadcasting. (see p. 73)

2. To allow the Prime Minister to show his leadership and commitment regarding the Afghan mission, the Committee recommends that the Prime Minister chair the Cabinet Committee on Afghanistan. (see p. 68)

3. Since the primary cause of Canadian Forces casualties is improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the Committee recommends that the Government of Canada procure 12 Expedient Route Opening Capability (EROC) systems (12 Husky, 12 Buffalo and 12 Cougar) [my link - MC] in order to better protect our soldiers from the threat of IEDs. (see p. 12)

4. To provide the deployed Canadian Forces troops in Afghanistan with a better intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition capability, the Committee recommends that the announced interim purchase of Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) be accelerated to ensure their deployment in Afghanistan by September 2008. (see p. 13)

5. To provide Canadian Forces in Afghanistan with better in-theatre mobility, the Committee recommends that the announced operational deployment of medium/heavy lift helicopters in Afghanistan be accelerated to September 2008. (see p. 14)

[Good luck on the helicopters and UAVs - MC.]

6. In order to address the shortage of Canadian Forces soldiers and to preserve, for a longer period of time, the personal relationships developed among Canadian Forces soldiers on the ground and the local population, the Committee recommends that the Canadian Forces consider lengthening the normal operational rotation in Kandahar to a tour of nine to twelve months depending on the role of the personnel involved. (see p. 42) [Won't happen, I have on good authority, the soldiers have been widely consulted and are very much against; extending would cause serious retention problems - MC]

7. In order to increase the effectiveness of Afghan National Police training and mentoring in Kandahar, the Committee recommends that the Government of Canada send 50 RCMP officers and 150 civilian police officers from provinces and municipalities across Canada to Kandahar to be embedded in the Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams. (see p. 38)

8. Additionally, the Committee recommends that the Government of Canada recruit and deploy up to 500 recently-retired police officers from across Canada to Kandahar province to further enhance Canada’s role in the training and mentoring of Afghan National Police in Kandahar. (see p. 95) [nice idea about all those police but I just can't see finding the numbers - MC]

9. In order to help improve morale and lower corruption within the Afghan National Police and encourage more Afghans to join and stay within the force, the Committee recommends that the Government of Canada financially assist the Government of Afghanistan to ensure that Afghan National Police officers have the appropriate equipment to fulfill their tasks and are paid a salary that is similar to that of Afghan National Army soldiers. (see p. 31)

10. Canada’s military cooperation with the local Afghan people is critically important to the success of our mission. The Committee therefore recommends that the Government of Canada increase the number of Canadian Forces Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) teams deployed to Kandahar province. (see p. 41)

11. In order to encourage more Canadian non-military government employees and government contractors to deploy to Afghanistan and especially Kandahar, the Committee recommends that the Government of Canada raise the pay, bonuses and leave time for those who volunteer. (see p. 38)

12. In order to enable more development and governance efforts, the Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to apply pressure on its NATO allies to provide 4,000 additional combat troops to assist our troops in securing Kandahar province through mentoring the Afghan National Army and by providing force protection to civilians and Canadian Forces Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) teams. (see p. 39)

13. Given the success of the Strategic Advisory Team’s experts in mentoring bureaucrats in Afghanistan’s federal government departments and agencies in Kabul, the Committee recommends that the Government of Canada form a similar Strategic Advisory Team to mentor Afghan officials at the provincial level in Kandahar. (see p. 39)

14. The Committee recommends that the results outlined in the Government of Canada’s semi-annual reports on Afghanistan be audited by the Auditor General.

15. The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada allow Canadian Forces soldiers and Canadian Government Officials operating in Kandahar to talk with members of the Taliban movement if communication encourages disarmament and/or ensures the security of development projects within the province. (see p. 97)

16. The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada play a more significant role in justice sector reform in Kandahar by assigning legal experts from Justice Canada to mentor local lawyers and judges in the province. (see p. 38)

Some honourable members have reservations with aspects of recommendations 2, 6, 12 and 15...."

- edited to add link to .pdf version of report -

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