The Canadian Press
02/01/2008
By
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CALGARY - A former senior member of the Afghan government says Canada's military mission to Afghanistan will continue to falter if the troops don't find a way to win over the Afghan people.

The death toll has continued to rise in Afghanistan both for the military and for civilians who are often innocent bystanders in attacks on NATO troops by suicide bombers or roadside bombs.

Sima Samar, who served as served as deputy president and then as minister for women's affairs in the transitional government, says there were high expectations when the international community entered her country after the fall of the Taliban.

But she says so far the life of an average Afghan has not improved.

A major criticism of the mission has been lack of progress in reconstruction, especially in Kandahar province, where Canadian soldiers are playing a dual role of building schools, clinics and digging wells while at the same time attempting to keep the Taliban at bay.

Samar, who is in Calgary on a speaking tour, says there has also been a failure in controlling the opium trade that provides money for the Taliban.

On the Offensive The Washington Post, Editorial (07/04/2009)

What's Best for Afghanistan The ashington Post (07/04/2009)

In the fog, remember: victory is impossible in Afghanistan The Times, UK (07/04/2009)

Afghan roadside bomb kills senior British commander Reuters (07/04/2009)

'Incorruptible' Commandos Sign of Hope for Afghanistan's Future FOX News (07/04/2009)

Support pledged to presidential wannabes Pajhwok (07/04/2009)

2 US troops die in attack on base in Afghanistan The Associated Press (07/04/2009)

Insurgents Step Up Attacks on Marines The Washington Post (07/04/2009)

The strategy is sound – but success is not assured The Independent, UK (07/04/2009)

Karzai's pardons nullify drug court gains Boston Globe (07/04/2009)

Countries 'wasting money and blood' in Afghanistan ABC News (07/04/2009)

Siege Within Afghanistan Khaleej Times (07/04/2009)

U.S. Faces Resentment in Afghan Region The New York Times (07/02/2009)

U.S. troops in Afghanistan arouse curiosity Reuters (07/02/2009)

U.S. troops remember beloved Afghan worker The Washington Times (07/02/2009)

On the Afghanistan frontier, change may be at hand Los Angeles Times (07/02/2009)

Karzai Stadium reconstructed Pajhwok (07/02/2009)

Pakistan troops deployed at Afghan border The Associated Press (07/02/2009)

Two Views on Afghanistan Mission Der Spiegel (07/02/2009)

US, Afghans take first district in major assault AFP (07/02/2009)

Female legislator survives bomb attack as 4 guards injured in N Afghanistan Xinhua (07/02/2009)

US: American soldier captured in Afghanistan The Associated Press (07/02/2009)

Afghan sunrise for US Marines flying into battle AFP (07/02/2009)

U.S. begins major Afghan assault, soldier kidnapped Reuters (07/02/2009)

The British Experience of Tribal Militias, For Idiots Registan,net (07/01/2009)

MP case taken up four years after her election Pajhwok (07/01/2009)

Warlords comeback kings of Afghan elections Agence France-Presse (07/01/2009)

The Irresistible Illusion London Review of Books (07/01/2009)

New road threatens ancient Afghan site AFP (07/01/2009)

Key in Afghanistan: Economy, Not Military The Washington Post (07/01/2009)