Layton reacts to massive leak of Afghanistan documents

OTTAWA – The recent leak of tens of thousands of classified documents relating to the war in Afghanistan underlines the need for the Conservative Government to rethink its heavy-handed and secretive approach to the conflict.

“From the beginning of the conflict, New Democrats have argued that the war in Afghanistan cannot be won by military means alone,” said New Democrat leader Jack Layton. “What these latest documents reveal is the need for a new focus on national and regional diplomacy to end this war.”

The approximately 90,000 documents released shine disturbing new light on how this war has been conducted. “Canadians deserve responsible leadership that can broker peace and reconciliation, not a government committed to keeping Canadians in the dark,” said Layton.

Layton acknowledged that the leak was a serious security breach that the US administration will have to deal with. It is also of concern that this appears to be the only way parliamentarians and Canadians can get a glimpse at the truth. “Canadians are increasingly concerned about the continued loss of life with no end in sight and do not want the sacrifices to be in vain, but cannot trust Harper to take a leadership role in ending the war in Afghanistan.”