The Canadian Press02/01/2008By [Printer Friendly Version] 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.
