This is from the Star. It seems that Sarkozy is more concerned with doing business with federalists rather than getting a few cheers for ""Vive le Quebec libre" as a new De Gaulle. The Bloc with the Liberals trotted out the Bernier liason. Surely Bernier's incompetence can stand on its own without bringing in relationships of questionable relevance!
Sovereignists signalling desperation TheStar.com - Columnist - Sovereignists signalling desperation
May 09, 2008 Chantal Hébert
Ottawa
Under the guise of a full-scale rant against the monarchy and Canada's place in the celebrations of Quebec City's 400th anniversary, Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe gave the House of Commons a rare peek into sovereignist angst this week.
The issue was Governor General Michaëlle Jean's ongoing visit to France for the launch of the celebrations in that country. But what would normally have been a matter of routine irritation for the Bloc ended up exposing a raw nerve.
Not since the unity battles that divided previous Parliaments had the House seen Duceppe blow so many gaskets over the course of a single question period. He called the visit "an insult to the Quebec nation." He portrayed it as an attempt by the federal government to "usurp the celebrations" and he described the monarchy as an "archaic, folkloric and ridiculous" institution.
The exchange provided a sample of the raucous fight that will pit the Bloc against the Conservatives in the next election. It also betrayed mounting sovereignist tension in the face of declining fortunes.
Three consecutive Quebec polls have shown the Bloc tied with the Tories in the province, with only one in three voters currently inclined to support Duceppe's party.
At the same time, the Parti Québécois, under a new leader, is failing to rise above the score that set it back to third place in last year's election. By putting plans for a referendum on the back burner, Pauline Marois may actually have accelerated the erosion of the sovereignist coalition in Parliament and abroad.
In France where the right has traditionally been sovereignty's staunchest ally, President Nicolas Sarkozy has strong personal ties to Quebec's federalist business establishment. For months, there has been speculation that he will re-triangulate the Ottawa-Quebec-Paris relationship to treat Canadian unity as a given.
Yesterday, he sent his strongest signal to date, going off a prepared speech to say that France was close to Quebec but also loved Canada and that there was no need to choose between the two.
While the Bloc has gone to the barricades over the Jean visit, there is no denying that it was a public relations coup that many Quebecers stand to see as a sign that the anniversary matters to the Harper government.
With Quebec City the ground zero of an all-out election war between the Bloc and the Conservatives, there were other signs this week that the hostilities are escalating to new levels.
On Wednesday, Duceppe expressed concerns over reports that Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier's former girlfriend once had ties with biker gangs. But the inside story is that, behind the scenes, the Bloc (and the Liberals) had been actively lobbying the media to break the news for weeks.
Julie Couillard has no criminal record. She has never been charged with criminal activity and some of Quebec's crack investigative reporters failed to find evidence that she has had links with bikers since a 1999 divorce.
It is just about unprecedented for a Quebec party to venture into the private life of a political opponent in this fashion. The Bloc, under Lucien Bouchard or even under previous incarnations of a more serene Duceppe, would not have touched a story that so barely passes the test of public interest. Nor, for that matter, would a Liberal party that had not lost its opposition rudder.
But desperate times, it seems, call for desperate moves.
Chantal Hébert's national affairs column appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Showing posts with label Maxime Bernier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maxime Bernier. Show all posts
Friday, May 9, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Afghan Ire forces Bernier to backtrack on call to sack governor.
This is from the Canadian Press. Whatever Khalid's failings one that should be stressed is his lack of proper bowing and scraping before his foreign helpers! Rightly, he complains about the air attacks masterminded by bomber McNeil the head of the NATO mission. These attacks have resulted in many civilian casualties. He correctly warned Canadians about venturing into Spin Boldak.
Harper made it clear he doesn't stand for hoof and mouth disease among his ministers:
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper publicly criticized his foreign affairs minister yesterday for creating a "misimpression" that the governor of Kandahar should be fired for corruption.
(From the Province)
Afghan ire forces Bernier to backtrack on call to sack governor
7 hours ago
OTTAWA — Maxime Bernier was forced to briskly retract his call for the removal of Kandahar's governor after the Afghan government pointedly asked Ottawa for "clarification" of the foreign affairs minister's remarks, The Canadian Press learned Monday.
Bernier, who is Canada's top diplomat, ended his visit to the war-torn country by publicly suggesting that Afghan President Hamid Karzai replace Asadullah Khalid.
Even though the governor has fought off accusations of being linked to the rampant corruption that plagues the impoverished region, Bernier's public political advice to a democratically elected sovereign ally was seen as an embarrassing gaffe.
The foreign affairs minister hurriedly issued a statement from his returning aircraft that was seen as an attempt to quell suggestions he was meddling in Afghan affairs.
Afghanistan's ambassador to Canada, Omar Samad, said the minister's explanation has been accepted.
"Any doubt that was created by what was quoted has been clarified (and) if there's any misunderstandings, they have been cleared up," Samad told The Canadian Press.
He said the "special nature" of Canada's relationship with his country and the fact that 83 Canadians have died in the fight against the Taliban have tempered any potential sense of insult.
But Samad was quick to add a caution.
"There are of course bounds and boundaries that need to be respected by all sides," he said.
"I don't think interference in our sovereign matters is what the intention of any of our friends is because they know very well Afghans are sensitive to that."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper rejected opposition calls for Bernier's resignation and expressed regret that the comments Khalid were made in public rather than private. But he pointedly stood by the substance of the criticism.
"We have talked to the government of Afghanistan from time to time about performance of that government about some of our concerns and we'll continue to express those concerns privately," he said in Winnipeg.
Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said Bernier should never have been given such a critical portfolio.
Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe, who has often ridiculed Bernier across the floor of the Commons, chimed in, saying "this isn't any old mistake."
New Democrat MP Paul Dewar said Bernier has undermined Karzai's credibility while simultaneously setting back efforts to address concerns about Khalid.
If Karzai had been planning to replace the controversial governor, he won't be able to do it now, Dewar said.
"We've put Karzai in this trap where he's not wanting to be seen as a puppet by his own population.
"Instead of assuring people in Afghanistan that we have a clear idea what we're doing, he'll have to spend time now making up for this intervention."
Khalid is rapidly becoming a lightning rod for Kandahar residents and Canadian authorities, who initially praised his gung-ho attitude in dealing with Taliban militants.
He has been implicated in the ongoing prisoner abuse scandal - a charge he vehemently denied.
The relationship with Canadian civilian authorities has been strained since Khalid denied he had been upbraided by Defence Minister Peter MacKay over the handling of Taliban prisoners.
Khalid, who is appointed and serves at the pleasure of the president, is in charge of all provincial jails, where human rights groups claim torture has taken place.
Many of the corruption allegations against him relate to the U.S.-backed poppy eradication campaign.
Farmers whose fields have been targeted often say friends of the governor are left alone - claims that have not been proven.
Khalid has also been a thorn in the side of NATO commanders, repeatedly criticizing air strikes that have led to civilian casualties. He angered Canadian commanders after saying a suicide attack in the border town of Spin Boldak could have been prevented had Canadian troops stayed within their compound while Afghan forces searched for the bomber.
Stephen Saideman, a McGill University expert in international studies, said the refocusing of Canada's mission towards development is contributing the growing rift with the governor.
"It's pretty clear his interest and attention is on the security side of things, said Saideman, who toured Kabul and Kandahar in December.
"Broadcasting that Canada is trying to get this guy replaced is absolutely the wrong thing to do."
Hosted by Copyright © 2008 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Harper made it clear he doesn't stand for hoof and mouth disease among his ministers:
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper publicly criticized his foreign affairs minister yesterday for creating a "misimpression" that the governor of Kandahar should be fired for corruption.
(From the Province)
Afghan ire forces Bernier to backtrack on call to sack governor
7 hours ago
OTTAWA — Maxime Bernier was forced to briskly retract his call for the removal of Kandahar's governor after the Afghan government pointedly asked Ottawa for "clarification" of the foreign affairs minister's remarks, The Canadian Press learned Monday.
Bernier, who is Canada's top diplomat, ended his visit to the war-torn country by publicly suggesting that Afghan President Hamid Karzai replace Asadullah Khalid.
Even though the governor has fought off accusations of being linked to the rampant corruption that plagues the impoverished region, Bernier's public political advice to a democratically elected sovereign ally was seen as an embarrassing gaffe.
The foreign affairs minister hurriedly issued a statement from his returning aircraft that was seen as an attempt to quell suggestions he was meddling in Afghan affairs.
Afghanistan's ambassador to Canada, Omar Samad, said the minister's explanation has been accepted.
"Any doubt that was created by what was quoted has been clarified (and) if there's any misunderstandings, they have been cleared up," Samad told The Canadian Press.
He said the "special nature" of Canada's relationship with his country and the fact that 83 Canadians have died in the fight against the Taliban have tempered any potential sense of insult.
But Samad was quick to add a caution.
"There are of course bounds and boundaries that need to be respected by all sides," he said.
"I don't think interference in our sovereign matters is what the intention of any of our friends is because they know very well Afghans are sensitive to that."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper rejected opposition calls for Bernier's resignation and expressed regret that the comments Khalid were made in public rather than private. But he pointedly stood by the substance of the criticism.
"We have talked to the government of Afghanistan from time to time about performance of that government about some of our concerns and we'll continue to express those concerns privately," he said in Winnipeg.
Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said Bernier should never have been given such a critical portfolio.
Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe, who has often ridiculed Bernier across the floor of the Commons, chimed in, saying "this isn't any old mistake."
New Democrat MP Paul Dewar said Bernier has undermined Karzai's credibility while simultaneously setting back efforts to address concerns about Khalid.
If Karzai had been planning to replace the controversial governor, he won't be able to do it now, Dewar said.
"We've put Karzai in this trap where he's not wanting to be seen as a puppet by his own population.
"Instead of assuring people in Afghanistan that we have a clear idea what we're doing, he'll have to spend time now making up for this intervention."
Khalid is rapidly becoming a lightning rod for Kandahar residents and Canadian authorities, who initially praised his gung-ho attitude in dealing with Taliban militants.
He has been implicated in the ongoing prisoner abuse scandal - a charge he vehemently denied.
The relationship with Canadian civilian authorities has been strained since Khalid denied he had been upbraided by Defence Minister Peter MacKay over the handling of Taliban prisoners.
Khalid, who is appointed and serves at the pleasure of the president, is in charge of all provincial jails, where human rights groups claim torture has taken place.
Many of the corruption allegations against him relate to the U.S.-backed poppy eradication campaign.
Farmers whose fields have been targeted often say friends of the governor are left alone - claims that have not been proven.
Khalid has also been a thorn in the side of NATO commanders, repeatedly criticizing air strikes that have led to civilian casualties. He angered Canadian commanders after saying a suicide attack in the border town of Spin Boldak could have been prevented had Canadian troops stayed within their compound while Afghan forces searched for the bomber.
Stephen Saideman, a McGill University expert in international studies, said the refocusing of Canada's mission towards development is contributing the growing rift with the governor.
"It's pretty clear his interest and attention is on the security side of things, said Saideman, who toured Kabul and Kandahar in December.
"Broadcasting that Canada is trying to get this guy replaced is absolutely the wrong thing to do."
Hosted by Copyright © 2008 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Bernier suggests need for new Kandahar governor
This is from the CBC.
Why Bernier would come out in public and say this is beyond me. He is either completely clueless or supremely arrogant. He could easily have made his criticisms in private and kept his mouth shut in public. Perhaps he just doesn't care and is playing to the crowd at home. Most people here probably think his criticism in public is fine because it is probably correct and do not worry about the political effect in Afghanistan of foreign occupiers lecturing Afghans on corruption.
Bernier should check with Rick Hillier before he starts badmouthing the governor of Kandahar. Here is what Hillier had to say about him:
"Governor Asadullah has been doing some phenomenal work in Kandahar province ... Obviously we have worked with him because he is the governor there, and we have seen some incredible changes in the province and if there's an issue of any kind of impropriety whatsoever, that's an issue for the Afghanistan government."
Bernier suggests need for new Kandahar governor
Last Updated: Monday, April 14, 2008 | 7:34 AM ET Comments10Recommend5CBC News
Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier says it may be necessary for the Afghan president to replace Kandahar's governor to provide the province with more effective and less corrupt government.
"I think [President Hamid Karzai] can work with us to be sure that the governor will be more powerful, the governor will do what he has to do to help us, and there's the question to maybe have a new governor," Bernier, who is wrapping up a thee-day visit to Afghanistan, told reporters when asked what Karzai needs to do about political corruption in the south.
Asadullah Khalid, the governor of Kandahar, was among Afghan officials alleged to have participated in torture of detainees. But Khalid has denied the reports.
"They're a sovereign state, they're going to have to decide, it's a decision that the president will have to take in the near future, about the future of the government we're having here," Bernier said.
"Is it the right person at the right place at the right time? President Karzai will have to answer these questions as soon as possible."
Bernier spent his time in Kabul and Kandahar meeting with military and diplomatic leaders.
So far, there has been no response from the offices of Karzai and Khalid on Bernier's remarks.
Why Bernier would come out in public and say this is beyond me. He is either completely clueless or supremely arrogant. He could easily have made his criticisms in private and kept his mouth shut in public. Perhaps he just doesn't care and is playing to the crowd at home. Most people here probably think his criticism in public is fine because it is probably correct and do not worry about the political effect in Afghanistan of foreign occupiers lecturing Afghans on corruption.
Bernier should check with Rick Hillier before he starts badmouthing the governor of Kandahar. Here is what Hillier had to say about him:
"Governor Asadullah has been doing some phenomenal work in Kandahar province ... Obviously we have worked with him because he is the governor there, and we have seen some incredible changes in the province and if there's an issue of any kind of impropriety whatsoever, that's an issue for the Afghanistan government."
Bernier suggests need for new Kandahar governor
Last Updated: Monday, April 14, 2008 | 7:34 AM ET Comments10Recommend5CBC News
Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier says it may be necessary for the Afghan president to replace Kandahar's governor to provide the province with more effective and less corrupt government.
"I think [President Hamid Karzai] can work with us to be sure that the governor will be more powerful, the governor will do what he has to do to help us, and there's the question to maybe have a new governor," Bernier, who is wrapping up a thee-day visit to Afghanistan, told reporters when asked what Karzai needs to do about political corruption in the south.
Asadullah Khalid, the governor of Kandahar, was among Afghan officials alleged to have participated in torture of detainees. But Khalid has denied the reports.
"They're a sovereign state, they're going to have to decide, it's a decision that the president will have to take in the near future, about the future of the government we're having here," Bernier said.
"Is it the right person at the right place at the right time? President Karzai will have to answer these questions as soon as possible."
Bernier spent his time in Kabul and Kandahar meeting with military and diplomatic leaders.
So far, there has been no response from the offices of Karzai and Khalid on Bernier's remarks.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Bernier says document alleging US Israel torture was wrong.
Allies do not torture. They may use some of the same techniques that are called torture if used by countries such as Iran, Syria but both the US and Israel deny they practice torture and so it is not politically correct to use the term torture for these techniques. I am not sure what the proper terminology is for countries such as Saudi Arabia.
There is plenty of evidence for the use of torture in US prisons abroad and in Guantanamo. The Abu Ghraib incident was just one that got publicity. Here is a referenceUS not that it would do Bernier any good. There is also torture within the U.S. even captured on video. The situation may be somewhat improved in Israel since the late nineties but still exists. See the site Stop Torture in Israel.
Instead of criticizing outrageous behavior by allies Bernier and the Conservative govt. want to go along with the official line that the US and Israel do not torture.
What Bernier says did not surprise but I was a bit shocked by Rae even though I probably should not have been. Rae sees not censoring out the parts about the US and Israel in the first place was wrong and shows how inept the Conservatives are. Well we know what to expect from the Liberals if they are elected. Pre-emptive censorship.
Rae cites no evidence that the document equates torture in the US and Israel with that in Iran. Maybe it is just because they are both called torture and rightfully so.
Sunday » January 20 » 2008
Bernier says document alleging U.S., Israel torture 'wrong'
Helen Morris
Canwest News Service
Sunday, January 20, 2008
OTTAWA -- ForeignAffairs Minister Maxime Bernier lashed out Saturday at a controversial document identifying the U.S. and Israel as countries it suspects of practising torture, calling it "wrong" and demanding it be rewritten.
"I regret the embarrassment caused by the public disclosure of the manual used in the department's torture awareness training," said Bernier in a statement.
"It contains a list that wrongly includes some of our closest allies. I have directed that the manual be reviewed and rewritten," said Bernier.
"The manual is neither a policy document nor a statement of policy. As such, it does not convey the government's views or positions."
The Foreign Affairs document, which surfaced last week, was meant to instruct Canadian diplomats on how to recognize torture cases abroad. It defined such U.S. interrogation techniques as sleep deprivation and isolation as torture.
Liberal foreign affairs critic Bob Rae was not surprised to hear that the document was being revised.
"It's incomprehensible to me that a document would establish an equivalency between the United States and Iran on the subject of the treatment of prisoners," said Rae.
"It's too hard to understand how it (the document) could have gotten this far," said Rae.
"There's a real issue now around the competency of the Conservative government on foreign affairs issues."
Amnesty International had obtained the document as part of legal disclosure in its lawsuit that challenges the federal government's policy of transferring detainees captured by the Canadian Forces to Afghanistan's custody.
"We're obviously very disappointed when it comes to a serious issue like torture," said Alex Neve, the executive director of Amnesty International Canada on Saturday. "The overriding concern of the government should not be sparing our close allies embarrassment.
"I think we take a hit in doing this," said Neve. "I think many, when they first heard about the manual and saw that it did include countries like the United States and Israel, commended Canada for being accurate and objective."
The document also listed Guantanamo Bay, the controversial U.S. detention centre for suspected terrorists in Cuba, as a place where torture is likely practised.
Supporters of the only Canadian imprisoned there, Omar Khadr, said last week the document was proof he is being subjected to abuse and that the federal government should break its silence and petition the U.S. to transfer him to Canada.
With files from Mike Blanchfield
© CanWest News Service 2008
Copyright © 2008 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.
There is plenty of evidence for the use of torture in US prisons abroad and in Guantanamo. The Abu Ghraib incident was just one that got publicity. Here is a referenceUS not that it would do Bernier any good. There is also torture within the U.S. even captured on video. The situation may be somewhat improved in Israel since the late nineties but still exists. See the site Stop Torture in Israel.
Instead of criticizing outrageous behavior by allies Bernier and the Conservative govt. want to go along with the official line that the US and Israel do not torture.
What Bernier says did not surprise but I was a bit shocked by Rae even though I probably should not have been. Rae sees not censoring out the parts about the US and Israel in the first place was wrong and shows how inept the Conservatives are. Well we know what to expect from the Liberals if they are elected. Pre-emptive censorship.
Rae cites no evidence that the document equates torture in the US and Israel with that in Iran. Maybe it is just because they are both called torture and rightfully so.
Sunday » January 20 » 2008
Bernier says document alleging U.S., Israel torture 'wrong'
Helen Morris
Canwest News Service
Sunday, January 20, 2008
OTTAWA -- ForeignAffairs Minister Maxime Bernier lashed out Saturday at a controversial document identifying the U.S. and Israel as countries it suspects of practising torture, calling it "wrong" and demanding it be rewritten.
"I regret the embarrassment caused by the public disclosure of the manual used in the department's torture awareness training," said Bernier in a statement.
"It contains a list that wrongly includes some of our closest allies. I have directed that the manual be reviewed and rewritten," said Bernier.
"The manual is neither a policy document nor a statement of policy. As such, it does not convey the government's views or positions."
The Foreign Affairs document, which surfaced last week, was meant to instruct Canadian diplomats on how to recognize torture cases abroad. It defined such U.S. interrogation techniques as sleep deprivation and isolation as torture.
Liberal foreign affairs critic Bob Rae was not surprised to hear that the document was being revised.
"It's incomprehensible to me that a document would establish an equivalency between the United States and Iran on the subject of the treatment of prisoners," said Rae.
"It's too hard to understand how it (the document) could have gotten this far," said Rae.
"There's a real issue now around the competency of the Conservative government on foreign affairs issues."
Amnesty International had obtained the document as part of legal disclosure in its lawsuit that challenges the federal government's policy of transferring detainees captured by the Canadian Forces to Afghanistan's custody.
"We're obviously very disappointed when it comes to a serious issue like torture," said Alex Neve, the executive director of Amnesty International Canada on Saturday. "The overriding concern of the government should not be sparing our close allies embarrassment.
"I think we take a hit in doing this," said Neve. "I think many, when they first heard about the manual and saw that it did include countries like the United States and Israel, commended Canada for being accurate and objective."
The document also listed Guantanamo Bay, the controversial U.S. detention centre for suspected terrorists in Cuba, as a place where torture is likely practised.
Supporters of the only Canadian imprisoned there, Omar Khadr, said last week the document was proof he is being subjected to abuse and that the federal government should break its silence and petition the U.S. to transfer him to Canada.
With files from Mike Blanchfield
© CanWest News Service 2008
Copyright © 2008 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Upbeat Bernier contradicts UN reports
Bernier's purpose is to show how concerened Canada is about Afghanistan and drum up support for the mission. Perhaps Bernier is learning from Bush to spin statistics and reports the way he wants. As this article from the Globe mentions the Bernier and Oda trips provide good PR and photo ops and good psy op articles for consumption back home. Coderre wants his piece of the pie and wants a proper evaluation of the situation "for the sake of democracy". Give us a break!
This article at least points out the daring contradiction between reality and the spin world of Bernier.
Upbeat Bernier contradicts UN reports
Foreign Affairs Minister declares Kandahar more secure despite statistics that say situation is worsening
GRAEME SMITH
October 8, 2007
KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN -- Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier contradicted all publicly available assessments of security in southern Afghanistan yesterday with a bold claim that insurgent attacks have decreased in Kandahar, leaving the province more secure for humanitarian work.
"The territory is more secure now today, here in Kandahar than it was a year ago," Mr. Bernier said. "Look just a year ago what happened, there were many attacks, and the attacks have diminished."
Canadian officials have often pointed to hopeful developments in southern Afghanistan, but they rarely challenge the statistics cited by the United Nations and private security analysts that suggest an overall worsening trend.
"The security situation in Afghanistan is assessed by most analysts as having deteriorated at a constant rate through 2007," said a paper by the UN Department of Safety and Security in August. That report showed violent incidents increased almost 25 per cent this year, although the authors noted that the figure may be conservative.
Kandahar was among only three provinces listed in the United Nations report as places where the security situation has fallen into its worst category - "Extreme Risk/Hostile Environment" - across most of the province. This rating causes less accessibility to UN programs, the report notes.
These statistics fit with those collected by other analysts. The respected security firm Vigilant Strategic Services Afghanistan found that Kandahar suffered more anti-government attacks than any other province, in a tally of incidents from the beginning of the year to Sept. 30.
A count of insurgency-related deaths by the Associated Press has noted more than 5,100 people, mostly militants, killed so far this year. That far exceeds last year's figure of 4,000 for the entire year.
The idea of improvement was a central theme of the weekend visit by Mr. Bernier and International Development Minister Bev Oda as they briefly toured Canadian bases, handing out sweets to soldiers and posing beside military vehicles.
Mr. Bernier did not elaborate on his remarks, which came after his briefings with senior military commanders at Kandahar Air Field. In his encounters with reporters, he gave vague reasons for his dissenting view. At various times, he said his conclusions were based on first-hand observations, meetings at military bases and what he described as improvements among the Afghan security forces.
He also claimed that it's getting easier for aid workers to travel the province.
"We have improvement because our civilians, our humanitarian workers are able to go out there and do their work," Mr. Bernier said.
In fact, the growing risk of kidnapping among aid workers has prompted the UN to develop a new map assessing the likelihood of capture by insurgents in districts across the country. Almost the entire province of Kandahar is shown as "high abduction risk."
In a survey this year, Afghan government employees said they have limited ability to visit the majority of Kandahar's districts without armed escort; across the south, local officials said their access was decreasing because of the rising insecurity.
Another measure of aid workers' ability to work is the UN's internal security map.
This summer the map showed about one-third Afghanistan in the highest-risk category for travel, representing a deterioration from the summer of 2006, when only 15 per cent of the country earned the same rating.
Mr. Bernier acknowledged that security problems remain in Kandahar, and, at one point, conceded that military escorts are often required for aid work.
"The presence of our military is important because the people who do the humanitarian work and our diplomats must go out with the military to meet the population," he said.
Liberal defence critic Denis Coderre said the discrepancy between the ministers' statements and the available documents serves as another example of the confusion hanging over the Afghan mission. He plans to arrive in Kandahar today for a visit of his own, which he described as an attempt to learn about the situation for himself.
"That's exactly the reason and the purpose of my trip, the lack of clarity and understanding," Mr. Coderre said, by telephone from Kabul. "To truly have an evaluation of the situation is key, for the sake of democracy."
It's unclear what the Liberal MP will be able to achieve, however, because the military only agreed to accommodate him after last-minute arrangements on Saturday.
Visits by politicians to the front lines have served mostly to give them media exposure; yesterday's tour by the Conservative cabinet ministers included at least 13 photo opportunities. During a trip to a forward base, Ms. Oda stood in front of a concrete building scarred by shrapnel from Taliban mortars and offered a box of chocolate treats to the soldiers.
"Thank you for your work," she said, "and little cakes for you
This article at least points out the daring contradiction between reality and the spin world of Bernier.
Upbeat Bernier contradicts UN reports
Foreign Affairs Minister declares Kandahar more secure despite statistics that say situation is worsening
GRAEME SMITH
October 8, 2007
KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN -- Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier contradicted all publicly available assessments of security in southern Afghanistan yesterday with a bold claim that insurgent attacks have decreased in Kandahar, leaving the province more secure for humanitarian work.
"The territory is more secure now today, here in Kandahar than it was a year ago," Mr. Bernier said. "Look just a year ago what happened, there were many attacks, and the attacks have diminished."
Canadian officials have often pointed to hopeful developments in southern Afghanistan, but they rarely challenge the statistics cited by the United Nations and private security analysts that suggest an overall worsening trend.
"The security situation in Afghanistan is assessed by most analysts as having deteriorated at a constant rate through 2007," said a paper by the UN Department of Safety and Security in August. That report showed violent incidents increased almost 25 per cent this year, although the authors noted that the figure may be conservative.
Kandahar was among only three provinces listed in the United Nations report as places where the security situation has fallen into its worst category - "Extreme Risk/Hostile Environment" - across most of the province. This rating causes less accessibility to UN programs, the report notes.
These statistics fit with those collected by other analysts. The respected security firm Vigilant Strategic Services Afghanistan found that Kandahar suffered more anti-government attacks than any other province, in a tally of incidents from the beginning of the year to Sept. 30.
A count of insurgency-related deaths by the Associated Press has noted more than 5,100 people, mostly militants, killed so far this year. That far exceeds last year's figure of 4,000 for the entire year.
The idea of improvement was a central theme of the weekend visit by Mr. Bernier and International Development Minister Bev Oda as they briefly toured Canadian bases, handing out sweets to soldiers and posing beside military vehicles.
Mr. Bernier did not elaborate on his remarks, which came after his briefings with senior military commanders at Kandahar Air Field. In his encounters with reporters, he gave vague reasons for his dissenting view. At various times, he said his conclusions were based on first-hand observations, meetings at military bases and what he described as improvements among the Afghan security forces.
He also claimed that it's getting easier for aid workers to travel the province.
"We have improvement because our civilians, our humanitarian workers are able to go out there and do their work," Mr. Bernier said.
In fact, the growing risk of kidnapping among aid workers has prompted the UN to develop a new map assessing the likelihood of capture by insurgents in districts across the country. Almost the entire province of Kandahar is shown as "high abduction risk."
In a survey this year, Afghan government employees said they have limited ability to visit the majority of Kandahar's districts without armed escort; across the south, local officials said their access was decreasing because of the rising insecurity.
Another measure of aid workers' ability to work is the UN's internal security map.
This summer the map showed about one-third Afghanistan in the highest-risk category for travel, representing a deterioration from the summer of 2006, when only 15 per cent of the country earned the same rating.
Mr. Bernier acknowledged that security problems remain in Kandahar, and, at one point, conceded that military escorts are often required for aid work.
"The presence of our military is important because the people who do the humanitarian work and our diplomats must go out with the military to meet the population," he said.
Liberal defence critic Denis Coderre said the discrepancy between the ministers' statements and the available documents serves as another example of the confusion hanging over the Afghan mission. He plans to arrive in Kandahar today for a visit of his own, which he described as an attempt to learn about the situation for himself.
"That's exactly the reason and the purpose of my trip, the lack of clarity and understanding," Mr. Coderre said, by telephone from Kabul. "To truly have an evaluation of the situation is key, for the sake of democracy."
It's unclear what the Liberal MP will be able to achieve, however, because the military only agreed to accommodate him after last-minute arrangements on Saturday.
Visits by politicians to the front lines have served mostly to give them media exposure; yesterday's tour by the Conservative cabinet ministers included at least 13 photo opportunities. During a trip to a forward base, Ms. Oda stood in front of a concrete building scarred by shrapnel from Taliban mortars and offered a box of chocolate treats to the soldiers.
"Thank you for your work," she said, "and little cakes for you
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Canada's position on talks with the Taliban unchanged.
Well how nice of Bernier to let Afghanistan to decide on its own whether to hold talks with the Taliban. Bernier however retains his high moral ground of not negotiating with terrorists--although I guess it might be OK if they disarmed apparently. If they disarmed there would be no need to talk with them! Bernier apparently hasn't noticed that the US approved Karzai's move even though they too mouth platitudes about not negotiating with terrorists most of the time.
Bernier has a rosy attitude to the security situation just as a suicide attacker kills several on the road to the Kabul airport. Others see the security situation worsening. The Brits seem to think it might take up to 30 years to put down the Taliban. So ten or twenty years from now if a Conservative government is in power you can just imagine them lauding our progress in Afghanistan and claiming we need to stay the course that the many more Canadian casualties by then should not have died in vain.
Canada's position on talks with Taliban unchanged: Bernier
Last Updated: Saturday, October 6, 2007 | 3:40 PM ET
CBC News
Afghanistan's government will decide on its own whether to hold talks with the Taliban, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier said after a meeting Saturday with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier, left, and Afghan counterpart Dadfar Spanta hold a news conference Saturday in Kabul.
(Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press) He added, however, that Canada maintains its position that the Taliban must renounce violence before any deal with the Afghan government can be reached.
Karzai announced last week that he would meet for peace talks with two insurgent leaders, including Taliban leader Mullah Omar, and offered to give the militants a position in government if they renounced violence.
A spokesman for the Taliban soon rejected the offer, saying talks would only go ahead if foreign troops leave Afghanistan.
Bernier is on a tour of Afghanistan with International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda. The two held a joint news conference with an Afghan cabinet minister and were peppered with questions by Afghan reporters about the deteriorating security situation in the country.
Oda said security in the south, where Canadian troops are based, has improved over the past year. She also pointed to the millions of Afghan children who are now in school.
Canadian aid guaranteed until 2011
The two ministers were also touring Canadian-supported development projects in the war-torn country.
Their second stop of the day was Kandahar Airfield, where the foreign affairs minister said Canada plans to provide Afghanistan with development aid until 2011, while the military commitment runs until early 2009.
Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier and International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda visit the Murad Khane district of Kabul under tight security Saturday.
(Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press) The minister refused to exclude the possibility of extending the military mission.
"That debate will happen at Parliament," he said. "It will be a democratic process to decide the role of the mission in the future."
Just hours before they arrived in Afghanistan, a suicide bomber attacked a U.S. military convoy on the road leading to the Kabul airport, killing one U.S. soldier and four Afghan civilians.
It was the third bombing in the Kabul area this week and came on the sixth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan.
This is the first visit to Afghanistan for Bernier and Oda since Prime Minister Stephen Harper shuffled them into their current cabinet posts in August.
Canada has some 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, the majority in the violent southern province of Kandahar. Seventy-one Canadians have died in the country since 2002.
With files from the Canadian
Bernier has a rosy attitude to the security situation just as a suicide attacker kills several on the road to the Kabul airport. Others see the security situation worsening. The Brits seem to think it might take up to 30 years to put down the Taliban. So ten or twenty years from now if a Conservative government is in power you can just imagine them lauding our progress in Afghanistan and claiming we need to stay the course that the many more Canadian casualties by then should not have died in vain.
Canada's position on talks with Taliban unchanged: Bernier
Last Updated: Saturday, October 6, 2007 | 3:40 PM ET
CBC News
Afghanistan's government will decide on its own whether to hold talks with the Taliban, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier said after a meeting Saturday with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier, left, and Afghan counterpart Dadfar Spanta hold a news conference Saturday in Kabul.
(Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press) He added, however, that Canada maintains its position that the Taliban must renounce violence before any deal with the Afghan government can be reached.
Karzai announced last week that he would meet for peace talks with two insurgent leaders, including Taliban leader Mullah Omar, and offered to give the militants a position in government if they renounced violence.
A spokesman for the Taliban soon rejected the offer, saying talks would only go ahead if foreign troops leave Afghanistan.
Bernier is on a tour of Afghanistan with International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda. The two held a joint news conference with an Afghan cabinet minister and were peppered with questions by Afghan reporters about the deteriorating security situation in the country.
Oda said security in the south, where Canadian troops are based, has improved over the past year. She also pointed to the millions of Afghan children who are now in school.
Canadian aid guaranteed until 2011
The two ministers were also touring Canadian-supported development projects in the war-torn country.
Their second stop of the day was Kandahar Airfield, where the foreign affairs minister said Canada plans to provide Afghanistan with development aid until 2011, while the military commitment runs until early 2009.
Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier and International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda visit the Murad Khane district of Kabul under tight security Saturday.
(Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press) The minister refused to exclude the possibility of extending the military mission.
"That debate will happen at Parliament," he said. "It will be a democratic process to decide the role of the mission in the future."
Just hours before they arrived in Afghanistan, a suicide bomber attacked a U.S. military convoy on the road leading to the Kabul airport, killing one U.S. soldier and four Afghan civilians.
It was the third bombing in the Kabul area this week and came on the sixth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan.
This is the first visit to Afghanistan for Bernier and Oda since Prime Minister Stephen Harper shuffled them into their current cabinet posts in August.
Canada has some 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, the majority in the violent southern province of Kandahar. Seventy-one Canadians have died in the country since 2002.
With files from the Canadian
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