The Conference of Defence Associations Institute

The General Sir Papers

CANADA’S COMMITMENT TO PEACEBUILDING IN By His Excellency Omar Samad, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Canada

Currie Paper 1/06 C'est un grand honneur pour moi ainsi que pour mon épouse d'être ici Commissioned as a Militia in Vic- toria in 5th Regiment Canadian Garrison Artil- parmi les amis Canadiens. Je remercie lery, General Sir Arthur William Currie, GCMG , la Conférence des Associations de la KCB commanded 2nd Canadian Brigade which Défense et l’Institut de la CAD et les held the line during the first poison gas attack organisateurs pour m’avoir donner at Ypres, 1st Canadian at the capture l’occasion de m’adresser a vous of Vimy Ridge, and became the Commander of the in June, 1917. aujourd’hui. His greatest victory was at the Battle of I say friends because as one Amiens, which German Field Marshall von example, in my humble opinion, the Ludendorff described as the ”blackest day of people of Canada and your military are the German Army in the history of the war,” very fortunate to have a Chief of and which Field Marshall Lord Byng of Vimy de- scribed as “the finest operation of the war.” Defence Staff in the person of Gen. Rick The General Sir Arthur Currie Papers are Hillier, who is also viewed half-way specially selected from those presented at across the world, in my country, as a events organized by the Conference of Defence distinguished officer and a friend who Association Institute as best representing the understands the importance of innovative heritage of Sir Arthur Currie and the Canadian Corps. Afghanistan, the regional context and This paper was presented at the 22nd the global implications. Annual Seminar of the Conference of Defence Moreover, there are many others Associations Institute titled “NATO IN TRANSI- in Canada, as well as in this room, like TION: THE IMPACT ON CANADA” His Excellency Omar Samad is the Am- Gen. Ray Henault and Gen. Andrew bassador to Canada of the Islamic Republic of Leslie, whose leaderships have been Afghanistan. outstanding. A graduate of the American University I am delighted that Canada’s and George Mason University, he has repre- commitment was reiterated in this sented his country at such international confer- ences as the UN General Assembly, the Af- morning’s keynote address by The ghanistan Reconstruction Conferences of 2002 Honourable Minister Gordon O’Connor. and 2004, the UN Conference on Climate I appreciate the reaffirmation of Change, the Non-Aligned Movement and Or- continued support and the commitment ganization of Islamic Countries, and the Tri- the Canadian people and Government Partite Commission on Security. have for Afghanistan in the long run. The views expressed are those of the author I know that President Karzai and and do not necessarily represent the views of the Institute or its members. our government also look forward to The Conference of Defence Associations Institute

The General Sir Arthur Currie Papers the possibility of a fruitful visit by The Unfortunately, the nature of 21st Right Honourable, Prime Minister century conflicts necessitates risk- Stephen Harper to Afghanistan as taking. When you face an invisible soon as the opportunity presents enemy, or try to be a step ahead of itself. suicide bombers, or track down various Les sentiments d'appréciations et types of WMDs, you run the risk of de rapprochement qui existent déjà casualties among innocent civilians as entre nos deux nations well as military personnel and others. s'approfondissent d’avantage. We made this mental and practical Des milliers de jeunes militaires, adjustment in Afghanistan over 20 hommes et femmes, quelques years ago during the first invasion of centaines d'officiers qui on déjà servit my country. Today, we are re-adjusting et des centaines d'autres qui serviront to more normal conditions, la noble cause dans la future, aideront nonetheless, still dangerous in some à sécuriser et à reconstruire un pays parts of the country. pour donner espoir a des millions O u r c o m m o n e n e m y , t h e d'hommes, de femmes et d'enfants. extremists and terror-exporters, offer a Ces relations sont d’avantage different vision. The Afghans renforcées par la présence de plus ou experienced that vision under the moins 100,000 Afghans, réfugiés ou repressive Taliban rule for several years, immigrants, qui vivent activement a and suffered alone, but also resisted travers le Canada. courageously to deny Al-Qaida and their In addition to that, Canadians associates total control of Afghanistan. from many walks-of-life, diplomats, aid We know very well that their dark workers, NGO, and UN personnel and oppressive vision, where schools continue to help us in the are torched and women are enslaved, democratization, institution-building where cultural heritage is destroyed and and overall rebuilding efforts. the country is turned into a terrorist We are, however, reminded every training camp, is not representative of day by the risks involved as we our people’s aspirations or of our remember the civilian victims, the culture and religion. Contrary to Islamic fallen soldiers, and more recently, a principles, theirs is a vision of violence, talented Canadian diplomat, who are extremism and intolerance. targeted by terrorists. While we deal with this threat, we Every day, in Afghanistan, men should also be mindful of overall and women, Afghans and our people-to-people and trans-religious international friends, rise to the relations. Collectively, we should make occasion to tell the spoilers and the sure that we do not perpetuate a clash violence-mongers that history and of cultures and misunderstanding. We time are on the side of those who should actively promote dialogue and bring peace, those who build, those understanding. That is why it is so who give hope and opportunity to the critical that we succeed in Afghanistan. needy and destitute. Our enemy’s bases of operations The Conference of Defence Asociations Institute

The General Sir Arthur Currie Papers in Afghanistan were overrun in late developmental activity to give the 2001 when a determined Coalition led people of these regions the by the United States and many other, opportunities and conditions to improve including Canadians, helped us their living standards, move farmers Afghans chase the enemy and liberate away from poppy cultivation and create the country. a business and trade-enabling Unfortunately, those who environment. survived found shelter in hideouts in We are encouraged that Canada our region, and the diehards who will continue to help us with economic continue to recruit, regroup, rearm development as envisaged in the and re-infiltrate our borders aim to Afghanistan Compact document agreed undermine our efforts to bring lasting to in London earlier this month by the stability to the country. Their goal is to international community and our use time and a battle of nerves to tire Government. us, to intimidate us, make us doubt We have laid the foundation for a our objectives, to sow dissention and young democracy to flourish. This turn it into a contentious political democracy, which has given rise to a debate. new Constitution, an elected President In Afghanistan, this debate does and elected Parliament and provincial not exist. Afghans agree that we need councils can only be nurtured and made to secure the whole country, secure to grow if we stabilize the country, and our borders to the extent possible, if we help it develop. stabilize the situation to allow for This is to our mutual interest, and economic growth, reconstruction and Canadian leadership at the UN, within investment to improve the poverty- the G8 and NATO, in conjunction with stricken condition of the people. other nations that are committed to To this end, under UN mandate, success in Afghanistan, can help us the International Security Assistance achieve our goal. Force (ISAF) now under NATO Merci beaucoup. command continues to play an important role to help the new Afghan National Army and Police stabilize various regions of Afghanistan, and Canada’s new role for the next 9 The General Sir Arthur Currie Papers may be freely reproduced in their entirety for academic research months at the head of the Multi- or instructional or journalistic purposes provided National Force in five southern that the author’s and the CDA’s copyright is provinces is a leadership role that will acknowledged. be challenging, risk-filled but The Conference of Defence Associations absolutely critical in our efforts to 359 Kent St., Suite 502 tackle instability. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada However, it is not only a peace- K2P 0R6 building operation. It is also a Telephone : (613) 236-1252 Facsimile : (613) 236-8191 reconstruction effort, a parallel E-mail : [email protected]