A landlocked country bordered by A landlocked country bordered by Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan (former USSR, Pakistan and Iran.(former USSR, Pakistan and Iran.

Size slightly smaller than Texas, it is a lSize slightly smaller than Texas, it is a land and of mountains, plains, cold winters and hot of mountains, plains, cold winters and hot summers often threatened by earthquakes summers often threatened by earthquakes and floodsand floods

2005 population- about 30 million people 2005 population- about 30 million people (48% <15 years old)(48% <15 years old)

A conservative Islamic country (99% of A conservative Islamic country (99% of population is Muslim) with legal system population is Muslim) with legal system based on strict interpretation of Shari’ah based on strict interpretation of Shari’ah law. law.

Afghanistan – BackgroundAfghanistan – Background

Afghanistan – Background…cont’dAfghanistan – Background…cont’dSome FactsSome Facts NRI (Births – Deaths) = 26.3NRI (Births – Deaths) = 26.3 Infant Mortality Rate = 163.1 / Infant Mortality Rate = 163.1 /

10001000 Life Expectancy = 42.9 yearsLife Expectancy = 42.9 years Fertility Rate = 6.75 children / Fertility Rate = 6.75 children /

womanwoman Seven major “tribes” with Seven major “tribes” with

Pashtun at 42% of the Pashtun at 42% of the populationpopulation

Sunni Muslim – 80%, Shi’a Sunni Muslim – 80%, Shi’a Muslim =19%Muslim =19%

Literacy Rate – 36% (only 21% Literacy Rate – 36% (only 21% for women)for women)

Population 30 M with 4 M Population 30 M with 4 M refugeesrefugees

Unemployment rate – 40%Unemployment rate – 40% Largest agricultural product – Largest agricultural product –

OpiumOpium GDP PPP - $800.GDP PPP - $800.

Afghanistan – HistoryAfghanistan – History

Formed in 1747 when the nomadic Formed in 1747 when the nomadic Pashtun tribes unitedPashtun tribes united

Late 19Late 19thth and early 20 and early 20thth Century, Century, Afghanistan was under British Afghanistan was under British control serving as a physical buffer control serving as a physical buffer between the British (India) and between the British (India) and Russian empiresRussian empires

Won independence in 1919Won independence in 1919 Used democratic-style government Used democratic-style government

until a communist-backed military until a communist-backed military coup in 1973coup in 1973

Invaded by USSR in 1979 Invaded by USSR in 1979 Waged guerrilla-style war by Waged guerrilla-style war by

Mujahedeen rebels backed by Mujahedeen rebels backed by international community (e.g., USA) international community (e.g., USA) to oust Soviets in 1989to oust Soviets in 1989

Afghanistan – History…cont’dAfghanistan – History…cont’d

Erupted into civil war in 1992Erupted into civil war in 1992 Ruled by Taliban, a Ruled by Taliban, a

fundamentalist Islamic group, fundamentalist Islamic group, starting 1996starting 1996

Entered by USA-led coalition in Entered by USA-led coalition in 2001 to initiate War on 2001 to initiate War on Terrorism, oust Taliban, and Terrorism, oust Taliban, and reconstruct economy, society reconstruct economy, society and governmentand government

Established new constitution in Established new constitution in 20032003

Held a presidential election in Held a presidential election in 2004 with Hamid Karzai elected 2004 with Hamid Karzai elected as presidentas president

Conducted National Assembly Conducted National Assembly elections in 2005. elections in 2005.

Afghanistan and CanadaAfghanistan and Canada In February 2002, 140 Canada soldiers In February 2002, 140 Canada soldiers

joined Allied troopsjoined Allied troops

In February 2006, Canada takes In February 2006, Canada takes command of Allied troops. Canada’s command of Allied troops. Canada’s contingent, called Task Force contingent, called Task Force Afghanistan, has over 2,000 soldiers Afghanistan, has over 2,000 soldiers based around Kandahar. The coalition based around Kandahar. The coalition is led by Canadian Brigadier-General is led by Canadian Brigadier-General David Fraser. Canada also has a David Fraser. Canada also has a Provincial Reconstruction Team and Provincial Reconstruction Team and about $10 M/yr in aid.about $10 M/yr in aid.

In 2007, Canada listed 55 soldiers dead. In 2007, Canada listed 55 soldiers dead. Coalition deaths equalled 567 including Coalition deaths equalled 567 including 319 USA troops. Over 8,500 319 USA troops. Over 8,500 Afghanistan troops and 3,500 civilians Afghanistan troops and 3,500 civilians have been killed. have been killed.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said, “When we send troops into the field, I “When we send troops into the field, I expect Canadians to support those expect Canadians to support those troops." troops."

Afghanistan CultureAfghanistan Culture Buzkashi, means "goat Buzkashi, means "goat

killing“, requires a horse-killing“, requires a horse-mounted rider to carry a mounted rider to carry a dead calf across a goal line.dead calf across a goal line.

Ramadan (the ninth month in Ramadan (the ninth month in the Muslim year) is the the Muslim year) is the month of fasting. During month of fasting. During Ramadan, the Qu'ran was Ramadan, the Qu'ran was first revealed to the Prophet first revealed to the Prophet Mohammad. As well, the Mohammad. As well, the Battle of Badr between idol Battle of Badr between idol worshippers of Mecca and worshippers of Mecca and the Muslims of Medina took the Muslims of Medina took place.place.

The family is headed by the The family is headed by the oldest man whose word is oldest man whose word is law for the family. Family law for the family. Family honour, pride, and respect honour, pride, and respect toward other members are toward other members are highly prized qualities. highly prized qualities.

Afghanistan Women and the TalibanAfghanistan Women and the Taliban The Taliban controlled every aspect of the The Taliban controlled every aspect of the

woman’s life.woman’s life. Women were forced to wear long veils with Women were forced to wear long veils with

a facial screen to hide their bodies and a facial screen to hide their bodies and identity to avoid luring men into corruption.identity to avoid luring men into corruption.

The windows in the home were painted so The windows in the home were painted so women could not see the interactions of the women could not see the interactions of the world.world.

There were no public bathrooms for women.There were no public bathrooms for women. Women could not go to school or work.Women could not go to school or work. In court, a woman’s testimony is ½ the In court, a woman’s testimony is ½ the

value of a man’s testimony. Rapes, etc. value of a man’s testimony. Rapes, etc. increased.increased.

Public beatings were common.Public beatings were common. Women were ordered not to laugh or speak Women were ordered not to laugh or speak

loudlyloudly Women could not travel unaccompanied Women could not travel unaccompanied

outside the homeoutside the home

Sample – Education – Post-TalibanSample – Education – Post-Taliban Following the ouster of the Following the ouster of the

Taliban in 2002, children went Taliban in 2002, children went back in school, but teachers had back in school, but teachers had to erase war images from the to erase war images from the textbooks -- images that were put textbooks -- images that were put in the books via the 1980s Cold in the books via the 1980s Cold War policies in the United States.War policies in the United States.

The Mujahedeen had used the The Mujahedeen had used the classroom to prepare children to classroom to prepare children to fight the Soviets and create a fight the Soviets and create a warrior culture. USA printed the warrior culture. USA printed the books that taught pupils the books that taught pupils the proper clips for a Kalashnikov proper clips for a Kalashnikov rifle, the weight of bombs needed rifle, the weight of bombs needed to flatten a house and the to flatten a house and the equations to calculate the speed equations to calculate the speed of bullets. of bullets.

With the overthrow of the Soviets, With the overthrow of the Soviets, USA abandoned Afghanistan, but USA abandoned Afghanistan, but the images of war in textbooks the images of war in textbooks remains.remains.

Taliban TodayTaliban Today

Until 2001, the Taliban had one Until 2001, the Taliban had one leader, a clear ideology and defined leader, a clear ideology and defined membership (e.g., dress code)membership (e.g., dress code)

Now, the Taliban are insurgents Now, the Taliban are insurgents fighting against the new fighting against the new Afghanistan government and the Afghanistan government and the Allied Forces. There are several Allied Forces. There are several leaders commanding small, separate leaders commanding small, separate units while working toward different units while working toward different objectives (e.g., protection of drug objectives (e.g., protection of drug money). Old leaders hide in money). Old leaders hide in Pakistan, and funding from external Pakistan, and funding from external sources has largely stopped. sources has largely stopped. Former fundamentalist leader Former fundamentalist leader Mullah Mohammed Omar presents Mullah Mohammed Omar presents direction without control.direction without control.

Canada and Afghanistan 2006Canada and Afghanistan 2006

Heavy weapons cantonment: Heavy weapons cantonment: Canadian munitions experts are Canadian munitions experts are helping the Afghanistan helping the Afghanistan government collect, store and government collect, store and decommission 10,000 heavy decommission 10,000 heavy weapons left over from decades weapons left over from decades of war, including artillery, of war, including artillery, tanks and rocket launchers.tanks and rocket launchers.

Demining: Canada has helped Demining: Canada has helped clear about one third of the clear about one third of the estimated 10 million to 15 estimated 10 million to 15 million mines in Afghanistan.million mines in Afghanistan.

Canada in Afghanistan 2006Canada in Afghanistan 2006

Microloans: Money from Canada Microloans: Money from Canada has been used to provide has been used to provide microloans to more than 140,000 microloans to more than 140,000 people in Afghanistan. Almost people in Afghanistan. Almost 90% of the clients are women.90% of the clients are women.

Training: Canada also has a role Training: Canada also has a role in training the Afghan police and in training the Afghan police and army. A group of Canadian army. A group of Canadian Forces instructors were in Kabul Forces instructors were in Kabul to train members of the Afghan to train members of the Afghan National Army. The unit National Army. The unit remained in Kabul while the rest remained in Kabul while the rest of the Canadian contingent of the Canadian contingent moved south to Kandahar. moved south to Kandahar. Canadian troops are also training Canadian troops are also training Afghan soldiers in Kandahar and Afghan soldiers in Kandahar and the RCMP has a commitment to the RCMP has a commitment to train Afghan police officers.train Afghan police officers.

Canada in Afghanistan 2006Canada in Afghanistan 2006Other reconstruction facts…Other reconstruction facts…

In 2004, the first democratic election was held. Hamid In 2004, the first democratic election was held. Hamid Karzai was elected President. Women hold 25% of the Karzai was elected President. Women hold 25% of the seats in the National Assembly.seats in the National Assembly.

Over 1,000 schools have been built and six million children Over 1,000 schools have been built and six million children go to school. Under the Taliban, less than one million go to school. Under the Taliban, less than one million children attended school. Four in ten children in school are children attended school. Four in ten children in school are girls.girls.

Since 2001, the per capita income has doubled and Since 2001, the per capita income has doubled and Afghanistan’s economy has tripled.Afghanistan’s economy has tripled.

Nearly 80% of people have access to health care. Under Nearly 80% of people have access to health care. Under the Taliban, less than 8% received care.the Taliban, less than 8% received care.

Several new branches of government have been Several new branches of government have been established to support centralized efforts to provide established to support centralized efforts to provide services.services.

400,000 refugees have returned.400,000 refugees have returned.

Canada in Afghanistan 2006Canada in Afghanistan 2006

The Department of National The Department of National Defense has also admitted Defense has also admitted that Canada's secret special that Canada's secret special forces, Joint Task Force Two, forces, Joint Task Force Two, has been operating has been operating alongside the American and alongside the American and other special forces units in other special forces units in Afghanistan but no details Afghanistan but no details have ever been released.have ever been released.

As noted, Canada has 2,000 As noted, Canada has 2,000 troops in the “war zone” of troops in the “war zone” of Afghanistan.Afghanistan.

Other ConsiderationsOther Considerations

Pakistan – Fundamentalist Pakistan – Fundamentalist Islamic with strong ties to Islamic with strong ties to Mujahedeen via CIA training.Mujahedeen via CIA training.

Reconstruction – The pace is Reconstruction – The pace is very slow. Poor are moving very slow. Poor are moving into the cities looking for into the cities looking for work that is not presently work that is not presently available.available.

Authority – Afghanistan is Authority – Afghanistan is autonomous provinces.autonomous provinces.

Opium – Largest agricultural Opium – Largest agricultural cropcrop

Canada in Afghanistan?Canada in Afghanistan?Should Canada be in Should Canada be in

Afghanistan…Afghanistan………as a military fighting force as a military fighting force in the war against terrorism?in the war against terrorism?

……as a military fighting force as a military fighting force trying to restore peace?trying to restore peace?

……as a country providing as a country providing reconstruction aid, expertise reconstruction aid, expertise and advice?and advice?

……as a country trying to build as a country trying to build social and economic social and economic partnerships?partnerships?

……as a promoter of as a promoter of democracy, freedom and democracy, freedom and rights?rights?

Who does this sound like?Who does this sound like?In our judgment, it was much more In our judgment, it was much more fundamental. It was the removing of a fundamental. It was the removing of a regime that was hostile… I think, frankly, regime that was hostile… I think, frankly, that everybody knew the post-war that everybody knew the post-war situation was probably going to be more situation was probably going to be more difficult than the war itself. difficult than the war itself.

We will not be in any way backtracking We will not be in any way backtracking from an obligation which has been from an obligation which has been undertaken.undertaken.

We believe that the success of this We believe that the success of this mission is important not just in terms of…mission is important not just in terms of…objectives but important in terms of the objectives but important in terms of the contribution we are making to the world contribution we are making to the world community and to global security.community and to global security.

We can ignore the dangers if we want, but We can ignore the dangers if we want, but the dangers will not ignore us. Unless we the dangers will not ignore us. Unless we control the security situation in countries control the security situation in countries like Afghanistan, we will see our own like Afghanistan, we will see our own security diminished.security diminished.