Canada-Afghanistan Relations
History
Early Relations
For many years Canada's principal focus in Afghanistan was providing humanitarian and development assistance both bilaterally and multilaterally—through the United Nations, the World Bank, NGOs and other partners—in response to civil war and a series of natural disasters.
Diplomatic relations with Afghanistan were established in 1968 to facilitate these efforts but were severed following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Diplomatic relations were not re-established with any of the regimes that held power following the Soviet withdrawal in 1989 until the appointment in January 2002 of the Interim Administration of President Hamid Karzai.
Post-September 11
Canada expanded its scope of activities in Afghanistan shortly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Following condemnation of the terror attacks by the UN Security Council, former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced that Canada would contribute air, land and sea forces to the international campaign against terrorism. Since October 2001, Canada has contributed up to six warships to the coalition fleet in the Arabian Gulf-Arabian Sea area in support of Canadian Forces' Operation Apollo. Part of their mandate has been to conduct maritime interdiction operations with allied vessels, preventing al-Qaeda and Taliban members from escaping the area in merchant ships and fishing boats. Canadian military aircraft, including helicopters, airlift and long-range patrol aircraft have also contributed significantly to Operation Apollo, both inside and outside Afghanistan.
In February 2002, a contingent of 850 Canadian soldiers was deployed to Kandahar for six months as part of Operation Apollo. Integrated into the U.S. Army task force, the 3rd Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group took part in offensive operations against the Taliban regime which had been aiding and harbouring terrorist groups. The Battle Group was supported by a squadron of Coyote armoured reconnaissance vehicles and combat support elements.
At the same time as Canada was working towards enhancing the security of the Afghan people, it was also responding to the immediate humanitarian needs of those affected by the conflict, including both internal refugees and displaced persons. In addition, Canada began work with the international community on longer term peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, including rebuilding governance structures.
The Bonn Agreement
Following the collapse of the Taliban regime, Afghan groups met in Germany in December 2001 under the auspices of the United Nations to develop a framework for governance in Afghanistan. The resulting Bonn Agreement called for the installation of an Interim Administration, the holding of an emergency Loya Jirga (council of community leaders) in 2002, the appointment of a Transitional Authority and adoption of a national constitution prior to the holding of national elections.
Since December 2001, there has been significant progress in implementing the Agreement; the Transitional Administration was appointed under the leadership of Hamid Karzai and a Loya Jirga held in December 2003 approved a new constitution.
On October 9, 2004, presidential elections were held, marking a watershed in Afghanistan's transition toward a democratic, self-sustaining state. President Hamid Karzai won with 55.4 percent of the popular vote. Over 10 million Afghans registered to vote in the election, which was declared valid by a three-person panel of the joint Afghan-United Nations Electoral Management Body.
Parliamentary elections, held September 18, 2005, fulfilled the major conditions set out in the 2001 Bonn Agreement. Election day was a relatively peaceful event and approximately 6.8 million voters turned - 43% female and 57% male. Afghanistan's transition to a stable and strong democracy was also marked with the inauguration of its first parliament in over three decades on December 19, 2005. The National Assembly is composed of 249 members of the Wolesi Jirga (lower house), all elected, and 102 members of the Meshrano Jirga (upper house), some appointed. Afghans are now given a voice through their newly elected members -as they work to help rebuild and shape their country.
Canada has been strongly committed to helping the Karzai administration fully implement the Bonn Agreement and has contributed close to $33 million to the democratic process in Afghanistan. By building governance institutions and lasting capacity, Canada will ensure that its investment will endure long beyond its engagement. Canada is committed to helping Afghanistan effect sustainable change.
The strategic interests that motivated Canada's initial engagement in Afghanistan have not changed. The Government of Canada's main objective is to help Afghanistan to become a stable, democratic and self-sustaining state that never again serves as a terrorist haven. To this end, Canada is working with other countries, the UN, NATO and various international organizations to provide the security and stability necessary for the implementation of multilateral and bilateral development programs in Afghanistan, to ensure a systematic reconstruction of the country and to rebuild its economic, political and judicial institutions.
The Government of Canada has committed significant resources toward achieving these objectives through coordinated investments in development assistance, defence and diplomacy.
Canada's Embassy in Afghanistan
Ambassador David Sproule discusses Canada's role in Afghanistan (2006-08-11)
With the opening of an embassy in Kabul, in September 2003, Canada further enhanced diplomatic relations with the Afghanistan Transitional Authority under President Hamid Karzai. David Sproule is Canada's Ambassador to Afghanistan.
The Embassy provides the resident diplomatic and consular presence required to effectively support Canadian defence and development efforts in Afghanistan in close coordination with Afghan partners and the international community. It also serves to promote Canadian interests in a complex and rapidly changing environment and provides assistance to all Canadians in the country.
Canada's diplomats at NATO and the United Nations are also contributing to peace and security in Afghanistan by playing active roles in promoting ISAF at NATO and supporting the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA).
Afghanistan opened an embassy in Ottawa in November 2002 and opened a consulate in Toronto in April 2003.
|
