Canada said nay to Iraq, but are increasing troops to Afghanistan

Canada set to widen Afghan mission
Plan emerges as general says mine targeted our troops

Matthew Fisher and Sheldon Alberts, with files from Mike Blanchfield, Ottawa Citizen, and Chris Wattie, National Post
CanWest News Service, with files from Ottawa Citizen and National Post

Wednesday, October 08, 2003

KABUL and WASHINGTON - Canadian troops in Afghanistan were deliberately targeted in an explosion that killed two soldiers, military officials said yesterday as it was announced Canada is prepared to send troops to join an expanded NATO force outside of the capital, Kabul.

"This certainly changes our defensive mission," said Major-General Andrew Leslie, Canada's top general in Afghanistan, who said a terrorist suspected of ordering the attack had been arrested.

"It is now clear people are out there trying to kill Canadians," John McCallum, the Defence Minister, said yesterday.

Mr. McCallum also said that when Canada's mission in Kabul ends next August, troops could be sent to help NATO forces secure a foothold in areas where the interim Afghan government of Hamid Karzai lacks authority.

SNIP

http://canada.com/news/national/story.asp?id=0441BF81-C541-480C-816F-77F79566D8FB