Defining War With A P&L Statement.......

......seems to be the expectations of a lot of Canadians but like much in life war cannot be defined by a profit and loss statement. I can't envision anything Harper might say that would satisfy the peaceniks.

Editorial: PM must define Afghan success

Sep. 6, 2006. 01:00 AM

As casualties rise in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Stephen Harper needs to make a persuasive case for Canadian soldiers continuing to fight there, the moment the House of Commons resumes sitting on Sept. 18.It was a traumatic Labour Day weekend. Five soldiers died and 35 were injured at the hands of the Taliban and American "friendly fire."Even before those deaths, which drove Canada's five-year toll to 32 soldiers and one diplomat, New Democrat Leader Jack Layton had urged talks with the Taliban and an abrupt pullout of Canadian troops in February. While that agenda is a non-starter, given Parliament's commitment to stay until 2009, Harper's mantra yesterday that our soldiers are defending "freedom and democracy" will hardly defuse a growing controversy in the country. Various recent public opinion polls show the Afghan mission is supported by only about half of those surveyed.As support for the mission wavers, Canadians must have a better sense of what Ottawa realistically expects to accomplish for our heavy investment. Afghanistan is our chief overseas commitment, involving 2,300 troops. Ottawa has budgeted $1 billion in aid, and the Polaris Institute estimates we have already spent $2 billion deploying forces there.

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