Let's Debate Our Presence In Afghanistan....

But let's get some facts about why we committed troops and what we are accomplishing. As far as I can see this is not a peacekeeping mission.

Alexander gives us an invaluable asset
By PETER WORTHINGTON

Even though it was the last Liberal government that escalated our military into a more aggressive fighting role in Afghanistan, the first interview given by new Liberal Leader Stephane Dion, stressed a greater non-fighting role for our troops.

As well as "reconstruction," he proposed a Marshall Plan for Afghanistan.

Any politician who proposes anything resembling a Marshall Plan in the middle of a war, doesn't know what he's talking about.

We all know that Jack Layton would have our forces cut and run.

The Bloc Quebecois' Giles Duceppe has backed off threats of a non-confidence motion based on the Harper government's refusal to consider pulling out of a fighting role. Instead, he anticipates making political hay when casualties occur among the Van Doos when the regiment goes to Afghanistan come summer.

So what should Prime Minister Stephen Harper do?

By all means have a debate when Parliament reconvenes.

First, he should call upon Chris Alexander to deliver a speech to Parliament, and to talk to parliamentary committees and to subject himself to questions from the various political parties -- all open and attended by the media and the public.

Who is Chris Alexander, you might ask?

At 34, he was Canada's youngest ambassador to Afghanistan (2003-05) and is today the UN secretary general's deputy special representative in Afghanistan and arguably the most knowledgeable diplomat (if not foreigner) when it comes to understanding that unusual country.

Alexander was interviewed by CBC radio's Anna Maria Tremonti -- no slouch when it comes to foreign issues.

Alexander feels positively about Afghanistan's future, and says the opium poppy trade doesn't make farmers rich; that headway is being made to reduce that evil trade. Profits from Afghanistan's opium don't help the small producer, but those up the distribution line.

As for the resurgence of the Taliban, he feels they must be soundly beaten before peace and security reign. He says they are being beaten -- largely by Canadian forces who've gone after them in the field and have kicked the Taliban's ass.

Another campaign is under way in Kandahar's Panjwaii region where the Taliban is a significant presence.

As Alexander eloquently points out, the more successful Canadian troops (and our allies) are, the more confidence the locals have and the weaker the Taliban influence becomes. Most Afghans want no return of the Taliban.

I was in Kabul for the 2004 elections, and one of the few who wasn't surprised at the country-wide success of the vote was Ambassador Alexander.

He is informal, likes and understands soldiers and has gone on night patrols with them, knows the Afghans, and is not intimidated by danger.

As ambassador, he was an invaluable asset.

I feel he would be an ideal NATO ambassador, which is usually a quiet, end-of-career diplomatic posting. Alexander is so knowledgeable and dynamic he could instil greater verve into NATO, whose role has changed since the Cold War.