ISSUES 2008
September 8 , 2008
Quotes:
Fraser told a parliamentary committee this week there are about 25 similarly problematic policies where the government wants to play a greater role in how officers of Parliament run their affairs. more here
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September 8 , 2008
Question:
The Feds have concluded the wireless spectrum auction with $4.25B in bids. Rather than going into general revenue ought not this one time windfall be better spent on a needed project of lasting value? more here
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July 14 , 2008
Quotes:
Canada will be out of Kandahar in 2011: Natynczy;,
Growing violence in Kandahar 'insignificant,' top soldier says;
Harper hints new chief of defence will be on shorter leash;
Afghanistan struggle will last a 'generation' more here
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July 8 , 2008
Quotes:
Pushmi-pullyu
New 'made in Canada' food labels start Jan. 1
Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan
Food industry policing itself risky: experts
Mad cuts?
Discussion Paper on Canada’s Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan more here
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June 23, 2008
That Top Canadian officials agreed to Afghanistan 'energy bridge' in November 2006 only became information generally known outside the government with the publishing of A Pipeline Through A Troubled Land: Afghanistan, Canada, and the New Great Energy Game this month.
more here
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June 17, 2008
The Durand Line exists in international law. It exists on paper. The c.40 million people, 15 million on the Pakistan side, 25 on the Afghan, do not recognize this arbitrary line drawn by a foreigner in 1893 that makes them citizens of one country or another. They are all Pashtuns speaking a common language and living by their ancient honour code: Pashtunwali .
This weekend President Karzai threatened to send his troops into Pakistan. Not surprisingly US backs Afghan hot pursuit into Pak . The U.S. has been attacking across the Line, last week killing eleven Pakistani soldiers. On Sunday there was a confirmed report that 2 US helicopters violate Pakistani airspace and that a US missile strike kills one in S Waziristan, not yet confirmed. more here
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June 12, 2008
Conservative and Liberal senators agreed yesterday it's doubtful our troops will be home from Afghanistan by 2011. Troops won't be home by 2011: senators .
Conservative Senators stuck to Government policy in voting against the recommendation to enter into negotiations, this despite the fact Chief of Defence Staff designate Lt. General Walter Natynczyk has personal contact with top American military personnel, an on the scene observer is suggesting a path that can be taken and the Research Professor of National Security Affairs at the Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) in a recently published monograph argues negotiations integrating most of the insurgents into the national power structure is desirable rather than the current American counter insurgency policy which is failing.more here
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May 9, 2008
"Now they have to prove their claim that the summer of 2008 will be a hot one in Afghanistan." was the concluding statement of Syed Saleem Shahzad's article, " The Taliban talk the talk , in the April 11, 2008 Afghan update.
Taliban plans for the Khyber pass which had started out well, "Carryings on up the Khyber" , were scotched by a $150 000.00 payment to a trusted co-religionist Taliban bitten by a snake in the grass (Asia Times Online, April 26.). more here
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May 1, 2008
Quote: Fraser told a parliamentary committee this week there are about 25 similarly problematic policies where the government wants to play a greater role in how officers of Parliament run their affairs.more here
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April 11, 2008
Afghanistan has been removed at present as an issue in Canada. Two articles from the Asia Times consider the insurgents battle plans and reactions to them.
Syed Saleem Shahzad, Asia Times Online's Pakistan Bureau Chief's, summarizing paragraphs of his article "The Taliban talk the talk" follow.
The second article "Carryings on up the Khyber" by Dr Andrew McGregor, director of Aberfoyle International Security in Toronto, Canada, concentrates on where a main thrust will be and difficulties existing that in his view "threatens the entire coalition mission in Afghanistan."more here
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March 30, 2008
When Canada's Prime Minister and Ministers of Defence and of Foreign Affairs arrive in Bucharest they will, unless they are leaving the rest of us greatly misled, be bringing with them the view that there will be no Taliban spring offensive. That this view is a disconnect from reality is considered in the following paragraphs and questions to be answered by them upon their return.more here
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March 29, 2008
WHICH RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: "Iraq Rules" or NATO?more here
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March 11, 2008
Were there legs to the conspiracy theory that a proposed pipeline was a cause for removing the Taliban from the governance of Afghanistan? more here
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Feb 25, 2008
Gen. Gauthier, commander of all Canadian forces overseas, "invited reporters for an unusually open discussion in Kandahar ". They were informed our Forces had withdraw from most of Kandahar Province "to focus on a few central areas." and that "In places just beyond the Canadians' zone of control, the Taliban have established a parallel court system, enforced curfews, and mounted road checkpoints." more here
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Feb 15, 2008
Quotes:
"Insurgent ambushes have fallen in four of Kandahar's 17 districts as the latest rotation of troops has focused on protecting the vital zone around the provincial capital, said Lieutenant-General Michel Gauthier, although he did not give specific numbers. . . . In places just beyond the Canadians' zone of control, the Taliban have established a parallel court system, enforced curfews, and mounted road checkpoints. Linkmore here
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Feb 3, 2008
PARLIAMENT FIDDLES WHILE PRESSURES BUILD
Discussion and debate in Parliament, in the media, on blogs and wherever else such may be taking place in Canada is focused on where the detainees are and whether the 1 000 additional troops in Kandahar Province and helicopters to lessen Canadian Forces land travel, which the Manley Report considers necessary for continuing the Mission, will be secured
"February 2nd's Sudbury Star editorial, "Canada must press for student's release" ends with this paragraph: "Canadian troops are not simply fighting for democracy - they are fighting for a democracy that respects human rights. Canada must vigorously press the case to free Kaambakhsh, else what are our troops really fighting for?"more here
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November 3, 2007
Were there legs to the conspiracy theory that a proposed pipeline was a cause for removing the Taliban from the governance of Afghanistan?
An article "Is the Afghan war about an oil pipeline?" - while dismissing the thought does not mention the breakdown of negotiations with the Taliban in August of 2001. more here
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November 14, 2007
Syed Saleem Shahzad was a "Guest" of the Taliban for six days in November last year, an experience he recorded in his article "A 'guest' of the Taliban". The Asia Times Online correspondent wrote "I am sure I shall go back to Afghanistan." more here
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