OTTAWA – Liberal Leader Bob Rae made the following statement regarding the end of the Canadian combat mission in Afghanistan.
“This week marks the end of an important chapter in Canada’s military involvement in Afghanistan. During the 10-year combat mission, our military strived and sacrificed for their country and today we must express the pride and respect we have for them.
We are now starting an important phase of cooperation and gain strengthening of all achieved. Our military, who has operated with tremendous expertise and professionalism, will now concentrate its efforts on training the Afghan security forces, so that they can effectively take a leadership role.
Our military men and women have acquired immeasurable experience during the past 10 years and this mission will be their opportunity to pass on this invaluable knowledge to the Afghan security forces.
Liberals have always believed in a Canada that is involved on the world stage, from international cooperation and peacekeeping, to providing reconstruction assistance. August 19 will mark the 92nd anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence. We hope that this final phase of the Afghan mission will secure the foundation on which the Afghan government will build a free and independent country that will fulfill its true potential. ”
