$189M to send tanks to Afghanistan: O'Connor: Knowledge Driven Revolution

Canada’s defence minister says it’s costing taxpayers $189 million to send re-enforcements, including Leopard tanks, to Afghanistan to support Canadian troops.

Gordon O’Connor told a House of Commons committee Tuesday night that includes the cost of sending the tanks, a team of engineers and a counter-mortar unit.

“That’s transportation, plus what was necessary to get all the equipment up to standard for operations,” said O’Connor in reply to questions from opposition MPs.

The military announced last summer that the 42-tonne Leopards would be deployed to Afghanistan.

Five of the 42-tonne monsters are already in operation with another 12 to be deployed in the next month.

Some military experts and others have expressed concern the Leopards could further alienate Afghans already suspicious of foreign troops.

During Tuesday’s questioning, Opposition Leader Bill Graham questioned O’Connor on whether recent air strikes and the use of tanks against insurgents hiding in villages is interfering with the delivery of aid to the Afghan people.

“Are we concerned ... that the use of tanks amongst the local population, and particularly the use of airpower, is such that it’s destroying our capacity to reach out to the local population?” Graham asked.

But O’Connor was adamant that the tactics that NATO forces have used in Afghanistan are not out of line.

“It’s quite appropriate for us to have tanks there,” O’Connor said. “We’re trying to reduce casualties.”

“When these Taliban go into areas and fight from the equivalent of pill boxes that we don’t have to send our infantry in to get them,” he said. “We can use tank fire to take them out.”

And the tactics of Canada’s allies are also appropriate, O’Connor said, a reference to the air strikes that have accidentally killed dozens of Afghan civilians in recent weeks.

Read the full article here

Broken Link? If the link to the original article is broken or has been altered you can view the article by clicking here.

Read Today's Knowledge Driven News
HOME Canadians Should Pay NOT to be Poisoned: NDP V for Vendetta - R for Reality Canadian Bird Flu Pandemic Looming ? Shill of the Week: Stephan Harper Aspartame: The Sweetest Killer Chicken Little Terrorist of the Week: Creating Fake Terrorists Shill of the Week: Paul Martin The Number 1 Reason YOU became a Slave	$189M to send tanks to Afghanistan: O'Connor CP via StopLying.ca November 10, 2006 Canada’s defence minister says it’s costing taxpayers $189 million to send re-enforcements, including Leopard tanks, to Afghanistan to support Canadian troops. Gordon O’Connor told a House of Commons committee Tuesday night that includes the cost of sending the tanks, a team of engineers and a counter-mortar unit. “That’s transportation, plus what was necessary to get all the equipment up to standard for operations,” said O’Connor in reply to questions from opposition MPs. The military announced last summer that the 42-tonne Leopards would be deployed to Afghanistan. Five of the 42-tonne monsters are already in operation with another 12 to be deployed in the next month. Some military experts and others have expressed concern the Leopards could further alienate Afghans already suspicious of foreign troops. During Tuesday’s questioning, Opposition Leader Bill Graham questioned O’Connor on whether recent air strikes and the use of tanks against insurgents hiding in villages is interfering with the delivery of aid to the Afghan people. “Are we concerned ... that the use of tanks amongst the local population, and particularly the use of airpower, is such that it’s destroying our capacity to reach out to the local population?” Graham asked. But O’Connor was adamant that the tactics that NATO forces have used in Afghanistan are not out of line. “It’s quite appropriate for us to have tanks there,” O’Connor said. “We’re trying to reduce casualties.” “When these Taliban go into areas and fight from the equivalent of pill boxes that we don’t have to send our infantry in to get them,” he said. “We can use tank fire to take them out.” And the tactics of Canada’s allies are also appropriate, O’Connor said, a reference to the air strikes that have accidentally killed dozens of Afghan civilians in recent weeks. Read the full article here Broken Link? If the link to the original article is broken or has been altered you can view the article by clicking here. About KDR \| \| Home \| \| Weekly Features Archive	Weekly Features Archive
		What Is Wrong With Canada ? Recent 9-11 News Suppressed by the Media Aspartame: The Sweetest Killer The Number 1 Reason YOU became a Slave Knowledge Driven Look at Your Favourite Canadian Political Parties
		September October November 2006 29 30 31 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 01 02 Weekly Features 2006 2005 Read Today's Knowledge Driven News
		Counter
Copyright © 2005-6 KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com