
Hillier asks Canadians to support mission to Afghanistan CBC \|\| February 27, 2006 Related - Hillier arms Canada for war Related - Defence Billing Under Review Related - Canada's "Secret" Contribution to the War in Iraq As Canadian troops take command of operations in Kandahar, the country's top soldier says the dangerous mission in Afghanistan should be seen by Canadians as "a force for good." In a wide-ranging speech to a defence group in Ottawa Friday, Gen. Rick Hillier, the chief of defence staff, laid out the reasons for continuing the Canadian deployment in Kandahar. Hillier's speech also comes as a new poll suggests Canadians are divided over the country's role in the U.S.-led so-called war on terror. "We as a country, we as Canadians refuse to accept terrorism and its indiscriminate violence as a way of making change," Hiller said to a room full of defence industry representatives, military analysts and men and women in uniform. "We are a force for good, everything we do is about protecting the weak and vulnerable because they can't protect themselves." With more than 2,000 Canadians serving in Afghanistan, and with attacks on foreign civilians and military personnel occurring more frequently, questions are being raised in Canada about the country's involvement. But Hillier, himself a veteran of the Afghan deployment, tried to dispel any doubts about the Canadian mission. Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com "We are in Afghanistan to help Afghans. We're not there to build an empire. We're not there to occupy a country. But we are there to help Afghan men, women and children rebuild their families." Hillier also outlined what he hopes to see from the new Conservative government, saying that more resources are needed. "We remain short about three quarters of a billion dollars just to sustain the present Canadian Forces. Everything from married quarters to spare parts to ammunition to rations and to everything else that is necessary to march or fly or sail." Canada's defence minister has promised there will be more money in the next budget. Hillier said the most pressing needs are new transport planes and helicopters. He's also working to overhaul the recruiting system to make good on the government's pledge to expand the forces by more than 20,000 regular and reserve troops. Hillier also said it would be a big morale booster to have a Tim Hortons franchise in Kandahar. "We need a Tim Hortons franchise where those 2,000 plus soldiers and sailors and airmen and air women live in Kandahar," he said. Hillier invited the CEO of Tim Hortons to accompany him to Kandahar and set up a coffee shop. The company issued a statement making no promises but saying it would look at ways of fulfilling the general's request. About KDR \| \| Home \| \| Weekly Features Archive	Weekly Weekly Features Archive
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Hillier asks Canadians to support mission to Afghanistan

CBC || February 27, 2006

Related - Hillier arms Canada for war

Related - Defence Billing Under Review

Related - Canada's "Secret" Contribution to the War in Iraq

As Canadian troops take command of operations in Kandahar, the country's top soldier says the dangerous mission in Afghanistan should be seen by Canadians as "a force for good."

In a wide-ranging speech to a defence group in Ottawa Friday, Gen. Rick Hillier, the chief of defence staff, laid out the reasons for continuing the Canadian deployment in Kandahar.

Hillier's speech also comes as a new poll suggests Canadians are divided over the country's role in the U.S.-led so-called war on terror.

"We as a country, we as Canadians refuse to accept terrorism and its indiscriminate violence as a way of making change," Hiller said to a room full of defence industry representatives, military analysts and men and women in uniform.

"We are a force for good, everything we do is about protecting the weak and vulnerable because they can't protect themselves."

With more than 2,000 Canadians serving in Afghanistan, and with attacks on foreign civilians and military personnel occurring more frequently, questions are being raised in Canada about the country's involvement.

But Hillier, himself a veteran of the Afghan deployment, tried to dispel any doubts about the Canadian mission.

Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com

"We are in Afghanistan to help Afghans. We're not there to build an empire. We're not there to occupy a country. But we are there to help Afghan men, women and children rebuild their families."

Hillier also outlined what he hopes to see from the new Conservative government, saying that more resources are needed.

"We remain short about three quarters of a billion dollars just to sustain the present Canadian Forces. Everything from married quarters to spare parts to ammunition to rations and to everything else that is necessary to march or fly or sail."

Canada's defence minister has promised there will be more money in the next budget.

Hillier said the most pressing needs are new transport planes and helicopters. He's also working to overhaul the recruiting system to make good on the government's pledge to expand the forces by more than 20,000 regular and reserve troops.

Hillier also said it would be a big morale booster to have a Tim Hortons franchise in Kandahar.

"We need a Tim Hortons franchise where those 2,000 plus soldiers and sailors and airmen and air women live in Kandahar," he said.

Hillier invited the CEO of Tim Hortons to accompany him to Kandahar and set up a coffee shop. The company issued a statement making no promises but saying it would look at ways of fulfilling the general's request.

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