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NEWS: Casualty rates and insecurity in Afghanistan
July 5, 2007
Dear activists,
With the sad news today of six more Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan, the death toll for Canadian troops since 2002 now totals 66 -- 58 of which have occurred in the last 17 months since the swearing in of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
This past Monday, the Toronto Star reported that, "U.S. and NATO commanders say...almost 40 (Taliban) commanders and 2,000 insurgents (have been killed this spring)." It also reports that, "the Taliban have managed to kill 94 international troops (now 106 so far this year) and appear to have no difficulty finding recruits to make up for their losses."
CTV.ca reports that 270 Afghan civilians have been killed this year by NATO operations. A figure that the Globe and Mail reports has "risen dramatically" over last year.
And according to the United Nations, 15 percent of Afghanistan was considered "extreme risk-hostile environment" for humanitarian operations in June 2006; less than 12 months later in May 2007, the United Nations now deems 25 percent of the country as "extreme risk-hostile environment" for humanitarian work.
Just a few months ago in April 2007, Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor commenting on the eight Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan at that time stated, "I've got my fingers crossed that it won't happen again." And back on January 19 of this year, O'Connor also stated that the lives of Afghans were improving and that, "These are real achievements and as the progress continues, the momentum will build and the chances of the Taliban regaining their hold on this country will be more and more remote."
The Council of Canadians is calling for the immediate, safe and orderly withdrawal of Canadian troops from Afghanistan and a return to Canada fulfilling its traditional international role of peacekeeper. Only as a promoter of peace and an upholder of peacekeeping can we hope to perform the constructive, independent role required of us in the world.
For more information on our position and our analysis, please go to the peace section on our website.
To express your opposition to the war please send an e-mail to Prime Minister Stephen Harper at pm@pm.gc.ca and/or Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor at OConnor.G@parl.gc.ca.
Brent Patterson, Director of Organizing and Campaigns, The Council
of Canadians
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