ARE THE CANADIAN PEOPLE READY FOR THE BODY BAGS?

Once again our troops will be engaging the bad guys.

Some 1,300 Edmonton-based troops will lead a multinational force into the Taliban's backyard of southern Afghanistan early next year.

"We are in a risky business. The rational use of force is a risky business," said Canadian army commander Lt. Gen. Marc Caron.

"We prepare for risk, we try to eliminate risk, but we cannot eliminate all the risk," he said.

"Yes, there is concern with casualties, but I'm also reassured that the people getting ready for operations are taking measures to reduce that risk to the lowest minimum possible."

Canada will lead the new mission, which was requested by the Afghan government, for nine to 12 months...

[Brig.-Gen. David] Fraser will lead the nine-to-12 month multinational mission, which will also include troops from the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Estonia, Denmark, Australia and Romania...

The Canadian government has been warning the people, but I suspect they have not been listening closely.

Defence Minister Bill Graham and Defence Staff Chief Gen. Rick Hillier have in recent months repeatedly warned Canadians about the mortal dangers that will come with Canada's very different military role once it takes over the lead in fighting terrorism in southern Afghanistan from the Americans. While their words have helped create greater public awareness of what is at stake, Col. Noonan's personal opinion is some Canadians still have not heard the message.

"Canadians perhaps do not yet have a full understanding of what we are getting into," Col. Noonan said. "It is only fair to tell Canadians that this is dangerous stuff and that people may be killed in the attainment of our national will."

Brig.-Gen. Fraser will report to an American major general from the 10th Mountain Division based at Bagram Air Base near Kabul. His command, which is slated to last nine months, will include an undecided number of U.S. special forces troops, pilots and ground crew for fighter jets and assault and transport helicopters.

The 3,000 British soldiers and airmen moving into southern Afghanistan will be led by a Royal Marine commando.

The Dutch are contributing more than 1,000 troops, many of them to fly and maintain Chinook transport helicopters and Apache gunships.

It amazes me that the Canadian Forces talked the Liberals into accepting this renewed combat role--which I fully support. I cannot help but suspect there must have been some very heavy arm-twisting indeed behind the scenes by the US.

Graham, Hillier and other generals have made a major and honest effort to warn the people of the risks of casualties in this combat mission but I doubt very much has sunk in. I wonder what the reaction will be if 20, or 50, or 100 body bags come back to Canada.

Update: On-air news lead at 1600 on CFRA, Ottawa--"Canadian tragedy in Afghanistan".

Story: One private has been killed in a vehicle accident in Kandahar, no hostile action.

Update II: A message from our Prime Minister--"Today is a sombre day and I was deeply saddened to learn of this terrible loss, which is not only a loss to The Royal Canadian Regiment in Gagetown, New Brunswick, the Army, and the Canadian Forces, but also to all Canadians."

Their vehicle rolled over.

An apparent accident. Members of the Canadian Forces die in accidents all the time. Military duty imposes certain extra risks. So does police, fire and EMS duty. And working in hospitals. And many other people die in accidents. Why in this case does the prime minister issue a statement?

I believe the title of this post is ever more to the point.

Posted by markc at November 24, 2005 10:46 AM | TrackBack