Afghanistan Conflict Monitor

G8 Experts Meeting On Afghanistan And Regional Stabilisation

'Experts Meeting on Afghanistan and Regional Stabilisation - Summary of Discussions and Recommendations to the Italian Presidency of the G8', IPALMO / ARGO / Carnegie Europe, 1 July 2009

EXCERPT: "The success of international efforts to foster security and economic growth in Afghanistan is increasingly linked to wider stabilization and development in the states in its proximity. In order to elucidate the challenges in the region and draw recommendations for the Italian G8 Presidency, an Experts Meeting on Afghanistan and Regional Stabilization was organized by Ipalmo, ARGO and Carnegie Europe on May 28-29th 2009 in Rome. Participants noted five areas of interest that could be taken into consideration at the June 2008 meeting of G8 Foreign Ministers in Trieste: 1) The countries of the region are interlinked in a regional security complex which requires a regional approach in response; 2) Constructive action by the states of the region and existing regional institutions need to be reinforced; 3) Border management is necessary to curb illicit trafficking while encouraging a better flow of resources across the region; 4) Security remains a major priority in the region; and 5) Greater economic cooperation would increase welfare for populations while encouraging cooperation and trust in the region."

To continue reading the summary, click here [pdf].

See also:
'Outgoing NATO commander slams European role in Afghanistan', NASDAQ, 2 July 2009
'US seeks European funds, troops for Afghanistan', AFP, 1 July 2009
'G8 focus on stabilising Afghanistan, Pakistan', The Sydney Morning Herald, 28 June 2009
'Trieste, Al Qaeda and the stakes in Afghanistan and Pakistan', Brookings Institution, 24 June 2009

Related posts:
'G8 seeks Iran help on Afghanistan', 4 June 2009
'G8 urges Afghan govt to do more on own security', 9 July 2008
'UN official urges regional cooperation to stabilize Afghanistan', 3 July 2008
'Afghanistan and regional instability: A risk assessment', 28 March 2008

Private Security Frees-Up Canadian Military

'Private Security Called A Boon To Canadian Bases In Afghanistan', The Canadian Press, 18 June 2009

EXCERPT: "The increased reliance on private companies to provide basic security for Canadian bases in southern Afghanistan is freeing up critical military manpower, officers say, although some soldiers worry about the effectiveness of local Afghan guards. Several operating bases in the dangerous Panjwaii district are now farming out the sentry work, the latest switch-over coming just this week. 'It definitely gives us flexibility,' said Maj. Steve Jourdain, infantry commander and head of a patrol base. 'If it was not for the private security, it would not be possible for me to do the next operation.' In this particular case, the Canadian-owned security company Tundra Strategies won the contract with the Department of National Defence. Tundra, one of four private companies working for Canada, runs an Afghanistan-based operation that hires and trains mostly Afghans as guards, but deploys them as far from their home regions as possible in order to avoid conflicts of interest."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'A question of protection in Afghanistan', The Globe and Mail, 29 May 2009
'The ongoing outsourcing in Afghanistan', The Dominion, 29 May 2009
'Canadian civilians in Afghanistan to rely on private security', Calgary Herald, 26 May 2009

Related posts:
'Canada secretly arms Afghan security guards', 17 June 2009
'Canada after 2011 may rely on US protection', 27 May 2009
'Surge of private security in Afghanistan', 23 March 2009
'As Afghanistan hots up, private security moves in', 28 January 2009

Canada Secretly Arms Afghan Security Guards

'Army Secretly Armed Security Guards At Afghan Base With Rifles and Uniforms', The Canadian Press, 17 June 2009

EXCERPT: "Canada's military secretly armed Afghan civilians hired as security guards at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, federal documents show. The unidentified 'guard force' was also provided with uniforms so they would not be 'mistaken for Canadian soldiers or for that matter members of the Afghan National Army, says a briefing note obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act. All Canadian bases in southern Afghanistan have some form of private protection involving paramilitary forces. They often employ local Afghans under the supervision of former Western soldiers. The handover of surplus C7 rifles - the Canadian variant on the American M16 - was approved by the Strategic Joint Staff, the military's senior decision-making body. 'The distribution of weapons to civilian personnel remains problematic in terms of potential for public criticism, especially in the event of misconduct by an Afghan guard using a Canadian weapon,' says the censored document from May last year."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'Canada agrees to stricter controls on Afghan hired guns', The Canadian Press, 16 June 2009
'Secret Canadian mission maps volatile Afghan landscape', Canada.com, 16 June 2009
'Ottawa appoints new ambassador to Afghanistan', The Canadian Press, 15 June 2009

Related posts:
'Canada commits aid to train Afghan police', 12 June 2009
'Canada's fourth quarterly report on Afghanistan', 3 June 2009
'Canadians after 2011 may rely on US protection', 27 May 2009
'Canadian PM makes surprise visit to Afghanistan', 7 May 2009

Canada Commits Aid To Train Afghan Police

'Canada Announces $12 Million In Support For Rule Of Law In Afghanistan', ReliefWeb, 12 June 2009

EXCERPT: "The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs today announced that Canada will help strengthen the rule of law in Afghanistan—one of Canada's six priorities in the country—through an additional contribution of $12 million to support Afghan police salaries. 'This contribution demonstrates our continued commitment to helping Afghans improve security and rebuild their country as a stable, democratic and self-sufficient society,' said Minister Cannon. The International Police Coordination Board, which is chaired by Mohamad Hanif Atmar, Afghanistan's Minister of Interior, recently approved an increase in the number of police officers countrywide, including at least 1,000 new recruits in Kandahar province, ahead of Afghanistan's elections in August."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'In Afghanistan, voting takes courage', Canada.com, 12 June 2009
'As election looms, few Afghan police "adequately" trained: UN', The Vancouver Sun, 11 June 2009
'Afghan elections shaping up; Iraqi forces set for transition', United Press International, 10 June 2009

Related posts:
'Canadians after 2011 may rely on US protection', 27 May 2009
'"Drawback" new tactic: military', 4 May 2009
'Canadian involvement to narrow', 26 March 2009
'Canada to pay salaries of 3,000 police officers', 17 March 2009
'Afghanistan won't be stable by Canadian deadline: General', 13 March 2009

Taliban Relying More On Homemade Bombs

'Taliban Relying More On Homemade Bombs', The Globe and Mail, 10 June 2009

EXCERPT: "The Taliban's increasing reliance on homemade bombs may be the equivalent of a Hail Mary pass for the insurgency, says a Canadian Forces soldier who helped plan a mission to pull the bombs out of caches and compounds. Operation Constrictor intercepted the equivalent of 30 to 80 bombs from villages near Kandahar over several days, Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Patrick said yesterday. The sweeps also led to the death of a Canadian soldier. Private Alexandre Péloquin, 20, was killed Monday during the mission when he stepped on a hidden bomb. Hundreds of Afghan, Canadian and NATO soldiers worked to recover 15 explosives on that day, with more bombs and bomb components discovered in the days prior. The sweeps targeted a group of villages in the volatile Panjwai district, an area west of Kandahar where many Canadian combat deaths have occurred."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'Roadside bombs: An Iraqi tactic on the upsurge in Afghanistan', TIME, 9 June 2009
'Afghan mission plagued by surge in roadside bombs', Online - International News Network, 9 June 2009
'Motion detectors to thwart Afghan bombers', Canada.com, 8 June 2009
'Targeting Taliban bombs', The National Post, 6 June 2009

Related posts:
'Use of IEDs increased by 80 percent', 5 June 2009
'Coalition deaths from IED attacks soar', 9 March 2009
'Afghan buildup includes billions to fight bombs', 25 February 2009
'Afghan roadside bombs hit record in 2008', 26 January 2009
'Homemade bombs now top threat in Kandahar', 16 January 2009

Canada's Fourth Quarterly Report On Afghanistan

'Canada's Engagement in Afghanistan, Report to Parliament, March 2009', Government of Canada, 3 June 2009

EXCERPT: "Minister of International Trade, Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Afghanistan, today released the Government of Canada's fourth quarterly report on Canada's engagement in Afghanistan. In particular, the report for the quarter ending March 31, 2009, outlines progress in advancing the rule of law. 'Canada continues to make significant progress in the training and mentoring of Afghan police, corrections and justice officials, which is an integral part of strengthening the rule of law in Afghanistan,' said Minister Day. 'As a result, Afghan officials are better equipped and are demonstrating a marked improvement in their ability to safeguard their own communities.' Canada continued to make significant contributions during the quarter. During their visit to Afghanistan in March, Minister Day and the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced more than $21 million to strengthen the rule of law—most of which will go toward paying for police and prison-service salaries, and building capacity within the Afghan justice system."

To continue reading the news release, click here.

To continue reading the report, click here [pdf].

See also:
'Canada, US envoys declare progress in Afghanistan', The Vancouver Sun, 4 June 2009
'Private security needed in Afghanistan', Embassy, 3 June 2009

Related posts:
'Canada's engagement in Afghanistan', 4 March 2009
'Tenth report of Canada's mission in Afghanistan', 18 July 2008
'How are we doing in Afghanistan? Canadians need to know', 11 June 2008
'1,000 more NATO troops "bare minimum" for Canada to extend mission', 11 March 2008

Canada Backs Talks Between Karzai and Taliban

 'Canada Backs Talks Between Karzai and Taliban', The Globe and Mail, 3 June 2009

EXCERPT: "Canada says it supports peace talks under way between President Hamid Karzai's Afghan government and representatives of the Taliban and other insurgent groups, but cautions they will have to accept the Kabul government's authority. Neither Canadian nor U.S. officials are involved in the talks in the United Arab Emirates, although Afghan government officials have said they believe they have the tacit support of the Americans to engage with the insurgents. Some European countries have expressed support for talks aimed at bringing in elements of the Taliban who might be willing to renounce violence, arguing that a political settlement is key to lasting peace. But U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates said May 22 that he believes the Taliban will not make real concessions until they start to lose on the battlefield, although ending any war requires some level of reconciliation."

To continue reading article, click here.

See also:
'No sacrifice of human rights, democracy in Taliban talks: Afghan ambassador', The Canadian Press, 1 June 2009
'Terms for peace in Afghanistan', The Boston Globe, 28 May 2009
'Canada offers assistance in Afghanistan reconciliation', National Post, 28 May 2009
'US pullout a condition in Afghan peace talks', The New York Times, 20 May 2009

Related posts:
'UK backs Afghan effort to reintegrate Taliban', 22 May 2009
'Peace mediators contact Mullah Omar', 13 May 2009
'Canadian PM makes surprise visit to Afghanistan', 7 May 2009
'Progress made in talks with Taliban: Govt', 21 April 2009
'Karzai objects to direct US talks with Taliban', 20 April 2009

Canadians After 2011 May Rely On US Protection

'Canadians After 2011 May Rely On US Protection', The Globe and Mail, 27 May 2009

EXCERPT: "Canada's reconstruction workers in Afghanistan may be forced to rely on protection from U.S. soldiers and private military contractors in the future, according to Ottawa's top envoy to the country. 'We know Canada will be in this country well beyond 2011,' Ambassador Ron Hoffmann said today, reflecting on Parliament's looming mandate to pull out Canadian soldiers in two years time. Soldiers or no soldiers, a 'robust' civilian contingent will remain, he said. And that leaves officials exploring many 'theoretical options' on how to keep on delivering aid to the war-torn country. The parliamentary directive for Canada to cease its combat mission by 2011 leaves it unclear how many soldiers, if any, could keep on providing protection to aid workers. But Canada-based contractors working on a 'signature' reconstruction project -- a $50-million effort from Ottawa to restore a decrepit dam near Kandahar – are poised to bring in their own private security forces later this year, said Mr. Hoffmann. He added that negotiations are under way with the Pentagon for additional protection."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'New drones allow Canadians to check up on contractors', The Globe and Mail, 27 May 2009
'Extending Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan will cost more than $1.1billion', The Canadian Press, 26 May 2009
'Obama may ask Canada to extend stay in Afghanistan', The National Post, 25 May 2009
'Ottawa seeking trainers for Afghan army', The Globe and Mail, 21 May 2009
'Canada's mission in Afghanistan may go beyond 2011', AHN, 18 May 2009

Related posts:
'Afghanistan won't be stable by Canadian deadline: General', 13 March 2009
'Canada's engagement in Afghanistan', 4 March 2009
'Canada's Afghan mission costs $11.3 billion', 26 February 2009
'How are we doing in Afghanistan? Canadians need to know', 11 June 2008
'1,000 more NATO troops "bare minimum" for Canada to extend mission', 11 March 2008

Afghan Detainees Denied Rights In Canadian Courts

'Supreme Court Refuses Detainee Appeal', The Globe and Mail, 21 May 2009

EXCERPT: "The Supreme Court today refused to consider an appeal from rights groups seeking constitutional protection for Afghan detainees held by Canadian troops who may be transferred to torture. The decision effectively ends the legal effort to protect prisoners captured on foreign battlefields under the Canadian charter of rights. The rights groups had attempted to argue that the constitution marches with Canadian Forces abroad and it – not just international law like the Geneva Convention – affords protection to those captured by Canadian soldiers. In the United States, its Supreme Court has ruled, repeatedly, that detainees held by U.S. forces both at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and Bagram, the main U.S. prison in Afghanistan, have recourse to U.S. courts. The government has repeatedly upgraded its transfer agreement with Afghanistan since The Globe and Mail first published harrowing accounts of tortured and abused prisoners who claimed they had been handed over to Afghan security forces after being captured by Canadian troops. It has also set up a follow-on inspection program to try to ensure transferred detainees are properly treated."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'Top court nixes bid to extend charter to Afghan prisoners', The Canadian Press, 21 May 2009

Related posts:
'Detention at Bagram is subject to US courts', 2 April 2009
'Canadian military resumes transfer of detainees to Afghan authorities', 29 February 2008
'Detention in Afghanistan: The need for an integrated plan - report', 22 February 2008
'Canadian-transferred Afghan prisoners tortured - report', 22 January 2008

Canada To Create "Model" Villages In Kandahar

'New Tactic Aims To Create "Model" Afghan Villages', The Globe and Mail, 19 May 2009

EXCERPT: "Canada's reconstruction mission in treacherous southern Afghanistan is poised to embark on a new phase in the coming weeks with efforts focused on normalizing small population centres on the five main approaches to Kandahar, the country's second-largest city. The aim is to create 'model villages' where normal daily and economic activity can flourish in a secure environment and the reach of the central Afghan government is felt, unlike in so many of the existing communities that dot war-ravaged Kandahar province. The idea is simple: identify suitable small villages on the main thoroughfares in and out of the city where coalition support is strong, establish a secure perimeter and then embark on a concerted information campaign to win over the hearts and minds of local villagers. 'This is a recognition that population centres are more pivotal,' said Cory Anderson, who is currently in charge of the 60 civilians working with the reconstruction team. Indeed, a similar approach is being applied within Kandahar city itself, 10 districts totalling between 500,000 to 800,000 people where the aim is to identify population 'pockets' amenable to rejecting the Taliban in favour of a positive alternative, Mr. Anderson said."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'Afghan police train for treacherous frontlines', AFP, 19 May 2009
'Canada could stay beyond 2011, MacKay says', The Globe and Mail, 18 May 2009
'Taliban hit police in the south', PressTV, 17 May 2009

Related posts:
'Afghan police face critical tasks', 30 April 2009
'Canada to pay salaries of 3,000 police officers', 17 March 2009
'Afghanistan won't be stable by Canadian deadline: General', 13 March 2009
'Creating effective Afghan security forces', 12 March 2009
'Canada's engagement in Afghanistan', 4 March 2009