DYING FOR PEACE: OUR SOLDIERS IN KABUL YV Introduction Shortly before daybreak, on a cold strapped to his torso jumped onto a Focus January morning, Michael Barker made Canadian vehicle and detonated the Canada’s military his way to the home of a family in his explosives, killing Murphy and an effort in Kabul, Afghanistan, has parish in Conception Harbour, New- Afghan civilian. Murphy was part of a been referred to as foundland. As a military chaplain and two-vehicle patrol heading to meet the our most danger- parish priest, Barker was charged with mayor of Kabul. The Taliban immedi- ous mission since the responsibility of telling Norman and ately claimed responsibility for the the Korean War. Alice Murphy that their son, Jamie, had attack. Initially, Canadian forces be- On the heels of the been killed while serving in Kabul, lieved the attack might have been an act death of Corporal Jamie Murphy, Afghanistan. They had been counting of retaliation after Canadian troops had many are begin- down the days—just nine to go—before helped Kabul police carry out a drug ning to agree with Jamie would be out of Kabul and on his raid the previous week. About a week this perspective and way home. Barker delivered his mes- after the suicide bombing, a Taliban to wonder if the sage—unwittingly shattering a family’s spokesperson informed a French news mission is worth the costs. sense of hope and peace—and prepared agency that the bombing had been them for their son’s funeral. War in a carried out by a Canadian. According to far-off land had taken their son away the report, Abdullah Kadr, the son of YV Sections from them. Ahmed Said Kadr (an Al Qaeda opera- marked with this Murphy’s death came on the eve of tive, according to the Canadian govern- symbol indicate the changing of the guard in Afghani- ment), detonated the bomb in retaliation content suitable for stan. The first six-month rotation had for the killing of his father in Pakistan. younger viewers. proven to be quite successful. Canadian Some members of the Kadr family live forces were able to establish ties with in the Toronto area. Minister of De- the community in Kabul and put them- fence David Pratt encouraged Canadi- selves into a leadership position in ans to take the news with “a grain of NATO’s International Security Assis- salt” until authorities could get to the tance Force (ISAF). Indeed, by the end bottom of the allegation. of Rotation “0” two Canadians assumed The death of Jamie Murphy set off a key command positions with ISAF. fresh wave of controversy on the Cana- Lieutenant-General Richard Hillier dian political landscape. Once again, became commander of ISAF forces, the safety and effectiveness of the Iltis with Major-General Andrew Leslie was thrown into question. The Iltis, an taking on the responsibilities of deputy open-aired vehicle, was the primary commander. patrol vehicle used by Canadians in However, the initial six months of Kabul. Both tragedies in Afghanistan Operation Athena resulted in several came while our soldiers were travelling casualties. Early on, tragedy struck in them. People started to pose some when two Canadians died after their difficult questions: Iltis vehicle struck a landmine. Some • If the soldiers who struck the believe the device was planted just landmine in August 2003 had been hours before the vehicle drove through riding in a Humvee equipped with the area. Then Jamie Murphy was killed blast protection instead of an Iltis, when a suicide attacker with explosives would they have lived? CBC News in Review • March 2004 • Page 6 • If Jamie Murphy had been in an Mercedes-Benz Gelandewagen vehicles Further Research enclosed Land Rover, would the on order for the Canadian Forces (100 To learn more suicide bomber have been able to are slated to arrive in Afghanistan about NATO and ISAF visit mount the Canadian vehicle and starting in February and March 2004) www.otan.nato.int/ detonate his explosives? might have saved the lives of the sol- home.htm. Canadian soldiers serving in Afghani- diers who have died thus far in Opera- stan have mixed feelings about the Iltis. tion Athena. On the one hand, they like the idea of Despite the controversy relating to Quote “presence patrols” through the streets of Canada’s presence in Afghanistan, both “The attack on Kabul and “dismount patrols” where the military and politicians stand reso- these soldiers was a they are able to interact with Afghan lute in their commitment to finish the shameful act, but it job they started. Prime Minister Paul will not detract civilians. An open-aired vehicle like the from our commit- Iltis suggests openness. Thus, locals Martin reaffirmed this position. “We ment to help might be more inclined to see the will not forget the sacrifices these Afghanistan build a Canadians as partners in the reconstruc- soldiers have made to make Canada and better and more tion of the city as opposed to an occu- the world a safer place” (Toronto Star hopeful future.” January 28, 2004). With the second — Jaap de Hoop pying army. The commanders of Opera- Scheffer, NATO tion Athena also say that bigger troop rotation on the ground in Af- Secretary-General, armoured vehicles can’t negotiate the ghanistan, and a commitment to keep a Toronto Star, narrow streets of Kabul with the ease presence of 500 soldiers after that January 28, 2004 and effectiveness of the Iltis. On the rotation ends, it appears that the Cana- other hand, some speculate that a more dian military is in for the long haul. heavily armoured vehicle, like the Questions 1. What tragedies occurred during the first six months of Operation Athena? 2. Who was Abdullah Kadr? Why did his name surface in relation to the death of Jamie Murphy? 3. What evidence is there that Canadian soldiers play an important role in Afghanistan? 4. Based on the information provided, do you think the Iltis is a suitable vehicle for Canada’s mission in Afghanistan? CBC News in Review • March 2004 • Page 7 DYING FOR PEACE: OUR SOLDIERS IN KABUL YV Video Review 1. What happened to Corporal Jamie Murphy? Answer the ques- tions on this page while watching the video. 2. How many days did Murphy have left in his tour before the incident? ____ 3. What is the name of Canada’s base in Kabul? ___________________________ Quote “There’s certainly 4. Describe the streets of Kabul. no early exit strate- gies out of Af- ghanistan.” — Canadian defence minister David 5. What does Major Andrew Sedunich mean when he says Canada does not Pratt, Toronto Star, want to be an occupational force in Afghanistan? February 7, 2004 6. What is the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)? 7. How many soldiers are serving under ISAF commander Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier? ____________________ 8. What do you think of Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier’s perspective on leading ISAF troops in Kabul? 9. Who is Canada’s ambassador to Afghanistan? __________________________ 10. According to the ambassador, what is Canada’s mission in Afghanistan? 11. What is Jane Maklohone doing for the women of Afghanistan? 12. What is the Sparks Academy? How is it helping children? CBC News in Review • March 2004 • Page 8 DYING FOR PEACE: OUR SOLDIERS IN KABUL YV Canadian Leaders in Afghanistan Canadians hold a number of leadership • Improve the capability of Afghan positions in the Afghan capital of police and armed forces Kabul. Not only do Canadians make up • Make sure troops are protected and the largest contingent of soldiers— the situation in Kabul improves for the 2000 of ISAF’s 5 500-person force— citizenship they also hold several key command posts. Two of these military leaders are Major-General Andrew Leslie profiled below as is Canada’s first In his early years, Andrew Leslie ambassador to Afghanistan. earned his education in Canada, the United States, France, Cyprus, and Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier Switzerland. Once he joined the mili- Rick Hillier was born in Newfoundland tary he demonstrated natural leadership and has been a long-standing member ability and proved indispensable in the of Canada’s military. After graduating combat arms units to which he be- from Memorial University of New- longed. Leslie’s career gained momen- foundland and completing his armour tum in 1995 when he was promoted to officer classification training, Hillier colonel and was sent to serve in a was posted to a base in Petawawa, leadership role in the Balkans. Eventu- Ontario. Eventually, he was assigned to ally, he earned the Meritorious Service the Royal Canadian Dragoons, with Medal for his actions under fire in the whom he has served ever since. He has Balkans campaign. After returning to commanded troops at the platoon and Canada, Leslie assumed several leader- division level. He has also been a staff ship roles within the Canadian military officer at Army Headquarters in on the home front. He also proved his Montreal as well as the National De- worth domestically in Canadian army fence Headquarters in Ottawa. He has efforts during the Manitoba floods of experience in roles across Canada and 1997 and the ice storm in Eastern the United States, as well as in Europe. Canada in 1998. Most notably Hillier has served the Leslie is well trained in peace support United Nations and NATO in the operational tactics; he received training former Yugoslavia. at the Vienna Seminar of the Interna- Recently, Hillier was appointed tional Peace Academy. By the time Assistant Chief of Land Staff and later Canada committed to a military pres- Chief of Land Staff in Canada.