Canadian Soldier Dies in Afghanistan

Statement by the Minister of National Defence on the death of Captain Jonathan (Jon) Sutherland Snyder

Ottawa – The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, issued the following statement today on the death of a Canadian soldier in Afghanistan:

“To the family and friends of Captain Jonathan (Jon) Sutherland Snyder who died yesterday in Afghanistan, I offer my sincerest condolences. You can be reassured by the thought that an entire country stands behind you in these most trying times.

Captain Snyder died in Afghanistan while on a patrol as part of an Operational Mentor and Liaison Team. These patrols allow Canadian soldiers to work in close cooperation with Afghan security forces.

Captain Snyder’s and his team clearly demonstrate Canada’s commitment to the training of Afghan forces. His sacrifice will inspire those who will follow in his footsteps on the road to a vibrant, safe and democratic Afghanistan.

Captain Richard (Steve) Leary was a member of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Manitoba.

New source:  canadainternational.gc.ca

Canada PM issues Afghan ultimatum

Canada has told US President George W Bush that it will withdraw its troops from Afghanistan next year unless Nato deploys more soldiers there. Prime Minister Stephen Harper is demanding that a further 1,000 Nato troops be sent to Kandahar province where Canada’s 2,500 troops are based.
Canada’s current mission in Afghanistan is set to expire in February 2009.

Seventy-eight Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.
An independent report into Canada’s mission issued last week recommended that Canadian troops remain in Afghanistan indefinitely.

However, it also said that Canada should pull out if it did not get the support it needs.
‘Additional resources’ A spokeswoman for Mr Harper said the prime minister had told Mr Bush that “unless Canada was able to meet the conditions specified by the [report] of additional combat troops and equipment from Nato allies, Canada’s mission in Afghanistan will not be extended”.

White House press secretary Tony Fratto said that in reply, the president had “noted the deployment of 3,200 additional US marines to Afghanistan”.

It is not clear if the additional US troops meet Canada’s requirements for more troops in Kandahar.
Nato spokesman James Appathurai said the alliance would discuss Canada’s demand at a meeting next month, and would try to find the additional troops.

“Nato thinks Canada is doing a very important and valuable job in Kandahar. We hope Canada will find a way to extend the mission,” he said.

There was a long-standing request to Nato countries to provide additional resources, he added.
Canadian troops are engaged in counter-insurgency operations against the Taleban, alongside mainly British, US and Dutch troops. Mr Harper has always supported extending Canada’s military mission.
To do so beyond the 2009 deadline would require the approval of parliament. But the Liberals and other opposition parties all want Canada’s direct combat role to come to an end.

Source:  bbcnews.co.uk