~ Quote from thread.
This is Dion's interview with Peter Mansbridge on Thursday:
CBC’s Peter Mansbridge: I want to just remind viewers of your remarks, and I want to understand exactly what you meant by this. Perhaps something was lost in translation. I think it was originally in French, but the English translation has been: “If [Pakistani leaders] are incapable of doing it themselves, it is something that we could envision with NATO forces; how to help Pakistan help us bring peace to Afghanistan.” What are you saying here? Canadian troops, NATO forces should go into Afghanistan?
Liberal Leader Stephane Dion: Obviously not. It was diplomatic intervention with an effort that was to be more concerted between Canada and our NATO allies.
Mansbridge: But you know, I mean, with respect, we’ve been doing that for six years.
Dion: I don’t have the magic solution. I’m just telling you…
Mansbridge: No, but on the diplomatic front, we have actually done that. Canadian ministers have been to Pakistan, American ministers. Americans are pouring billions of dollars into Pakistan. General Hillier has been there.
Dion: We should never miss an opportunity to make this point. Diplomatic effort very actively in Pakistan, because it’s part of the problem. Part of what we are doing in the south of Afghanistan, in the province of Kandahar is nullified by the fact that the insurgents, they cross the border, they ignore the border. And when we provide security in an area, they may come back at any time from Pakistan.
Mansbridge: Everybody gets the problem, but what’s the solution? Because talk has not seemed to have worked.
Dion: Well, I have no other solution than to say that we need to be very assertive in our diplomatic effort and pressure on Pakistan.
Mansbridge: But like what? How are we assertive? What do we say? What are we going to do if they don’t do it? What does “being assertive” mean?
Dion: I have no solution, no magic solution to offer on that and nobody has. The only thing is if you compare Pakistan with Afghanistan, Pakistan has one of the most powerful armies in the world, the sixth or the seventh. They should be able to go in these areas and to do more. The Government of Afghanistan told us that very clearly. Their view is that the terrorist centres, training centres in Pakistan are known, we know where they are located it’s what they are saying and that it should not be impossible for the Government of Pakistan to do much more to help us.
Mansbridge: They have been saying that, though, for ages. I’m sure Hamid Karzai said to you what he said to others there. He said that to me in his office, that they know where Mullah Omar is. They know the house he is staying in. I mean, do you really believe that they know that? And if they did know that, that they couldn’t do something about it?
Dion: Well, I’m just saying that if, one thing, that there are easy solutions in Afghanistan, it’s not the case. And one of the difficulties that explains why the province of Kandahar is more dangerous than the others is this wide open border with Pakistan
More under radar, that indicates, that yes IT can happen here:
See also: http://www.espritdecorps.ca/Ontarget%20071229.htm
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