This is typical of many news articles. Nothing is explained. Why would the NDP support the Conservatives? The NDP is opposed to the mission so it makes sense for them to vote against it. They do not even have the excuse that this would bring down the government at an innoportune time since it is not a confidence motion. If the NDP supports the Conservatives they can expect to be worse off in the polls than they are now.
MPs to vote on motion to take troops from Afghanistan by 2009
Last Updated: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 | 7:17 AM ET
CBC News
A Liberal motion that would ensure Canada end its combat operations in southern Afghanistan by February 2009 is slated to be voted on in the House of Commons Tuesday, but it is not expected to pass.
The NDP is expected to join the Conservatives in defeating the motion, which was introduced by Liberal defence critic Denis Coderre on April 19.
A bill before Parliament would have Canadian soldiers like Gunner Darren Aulenback, from Springfield, N.S., shown at the forward operating base in Sperwin Ghar, leaving Afghanistan in 2009.
(Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press) The motion calls on the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper to serve notice immediately to NATO that Canada will withdraw its troops from Afghanistan in February 2009.
Harper has declined to say whether he plans to ask for an extension of the mission. On Monday, he said NATO is not demanding an answer from Canada on the issue right now.
In May 2006, the House of Commons narrowly voted to extend the deployment in Afghanistan until February 2009, but the Conservatives have said they reserve the right to ask for an extension of that deadline.
Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor has suggested troops could be needed until 2010.
Coderre has said other NATO countries, particularly European members, should be taking a more active combat role in the war-torn country.
Canada has more than 2,000 troops in Afghanistan, with the majority stationed in the volatile southern province of Kandahar. Fifty-four Canadian troops have been killed in the troubled country since Canada first sent troops there in early 2002.
The Canadian mission in Afghanistan, however, is not limited to combat operations. Canada maintains an embassy in the capital of Kabul and has committed itself to providing millions in development aid in the hopes of rebuilding the country.
2 comments:
This is Liberal confusion at its best! The Liberal motion is the replica of the Conservative motion last year which extended the Afghan war until 2009. Now, the Liberals are re-confirming that extension. The NDP voted against the extension then, and it's voting against the extension now. What's the surprise?!
The NDP wants the troops home NOW.
That's right.
Just like Gordon O'Connor and Bill Frist have admitted, this mission can't be won militarily, that's why the NDP wants Canada out of Kandahar as soon as possible.
That's what some Liberals used to want too. Last May, 66 of them voted against extending the mission to 2009. But with flip-flop Dion as leader, the Liberals are now saying it's okay by them for Harper to keep Canada in an ill-defined mission for another two years.
Today's Liberal motion is a gigantic gift to Stephen Harper.
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