TORONTO - Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton is repeating his call for Canada to safely and securely withdraw its troops from Afghanistan now and take the lead in forging peace talks to end the bloodshed there.
Layton told The Canadian Press on Monday in Toronto where he attended the Labour Day parade that the military mission, which is scheduled to run out in February 2009, isn't accomplishing increased security in Afghanistan.
He said he wants to see Canada take the lead in a comprehensive peace process.
"Canada's voice and reputation as a country that can lead in peace negotiations and discussions should be used here instead of using the approach that emerged from the White House,'' said Layton.
"That's what should be happening now so that we can work towards a ceasefire so that aid and reconstruction can actually happen, and not be undone shortly after it's been accomplished.''
Layton reacted after Defence Minister Peter MacKay told CTV's Question Period on Sunday, "As far as the signal that has been sent already, our current configuration will end in February 2009, obviously the aid work and the diplomatic effort and presence will extend well beyond that, and the Afghan compact itself goes until 2011.''
MacKay said a vote will be taken in Parliament if there is to be any extension of the military mission and he expects this discussion will take place in the House of Commons this fall.
Liberal Leader Stephane Dion has said he will introduce a motion in the Commons setting February 2009 as a firm end to Canada's combat role in Afghanistan.
But in an email from Dion's office Monday, the Liberals said a vote would not be needed if the Harper government would now tell NATO and the government of Afghanistan that the combat mission in Kandahar will end in February 2009.
MacKay told the Canadian Press in an earlier interview the minority Conservative government wants a vote in the Commons but wouldn't say whether it would consider such a vote a confidence measure that could force an election.
Layton is accusing MacKay of confusing things and trying to "bamboozle'' Canadians.
"I think it shows they can't really be trusted on this issue of the war. They secured the two-year extension to 2009 with the support of many Liberals and now even the Bloc is supporting the 2009 date,'' said Layton.
"It's only the NDP that's saying look if it's the wrong mission in 2009, it's the wrong mission now. And we should be recalling our troops and playing a completely different role to help the people of Afghanistan,'' said Layton.
Since Canada deployed troops to the war-torn country in 2002 after the U.S.-led invasion ousted the Taliban from power, 70 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat, Glyn Berry, have been killed -- more than half by roadside bombs, mines or suicide attacks.
Layton says it's clear that with civilian deaths on the rise, reports that aid isn't getting through and mounting deaths of Canadian soldiers, that there "absolutely should be a debate, and in fact it should be under continuous review in the House.''
Last week the Senlis Council, an international policy think-tank, released a report suggesting there is an appalling lack of evidence that Canadian aid is easing suffering at Kandahar's main hospital or in one of the region's largest refugee camps.
"Things are not improving. I think it's time for Mr. MacKay to come clean on what's really happening. We have to learn from organizations like the Senlis Council that the aid that they constantly talk about is not actually getting through into the war zone,'' said Layton.
International development minister Bev Oda said last week more than $1 billion to be spent in aid to Afghanistan by 2011 is going to experienced partners on the ground who are accountable for it through regular public reports.
"Canadians understand that as long as there's a search and destroy war effort underway, it's not going to be possible to rebuild communities with any sense of security,'' said Layton.
Layton said if a conflict continues, it will go on for many years and the people in Afghanistan will continue to live in a very insecure and difficult environment.
"The only avenue that offers any hope here is a comprehensive peace process that brings sides together. After all, some of these sides did come together in the formation of the Karzai government. "It was a start,'' said Layton.
