OTTAWA – While Canada’s allies are sharing information with their citizens about the war in Afghanistan and discussing proposals about ending the conflict, the secrecy-obsessed Harper government is discouraging a similar debate in Canada, says New Democrat Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar.
“For four years now, the Harper government has refused to provide information on the number of detainees taken, the number transferred and the number who have died in custody. Yet in December, our British allies released answers to the same questions posed by a Conservative Member of Parliament in the UK,” says Dewar. “Why is it that our allies can share this information with their citizens and their parliamentary representatives, yet our government treats the same information as ‘state secret’?”

Throughout the war in Afghanistan, the government has discouraged open debate about Canada’s mission in Afghanistan. Its culture of secrecy has limited Parliament’s ability to engage in an informed debate about our role in Afghanistan.

“Our allies and the countries affected by the conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan are openly searching for a resolution. As we speak, the Istanbul Regional Summit for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries is coming to a close. The London Conference on Afghanistan begins tomorrow. And that will be followed by the Moscow Conference,” says Dewar.

Two days ago, US General Stanley McChrystal stated his belief that a negotiated settlement would be the right way to end the Afghan conflict. At the same time, President Karzai is advancing ideas for engaging the insurgency in a peace process.

New Democrats welcome General McChrystal’s frank statement.

“We believe that after nine years of conflict, old players rehashing old policies cannot expect new results. That is why we welcome the gathering momentum toward a peace process,” says Dewar. “To that end, our leader, Jack Layton, is calling on the Prime Minister to make a clear statement that Canada supports the concept of a negotiated settlement to the war in Afghanistan and will encourage other NATO leaders to endorse this option.”

“It’s time for the Harper government to speak frankly to the people of Canada about how we can help bring an end to this war.”