Kennedy on the attack [View All]

[tuvor]

Canada should pull out of Afghanistan unless mission clarified, he says
Says Harper has made the same mistakes as Bush accused of in Iraq

Aug. 29, 2006. 01:00 AM
LINDA DIEBEL
STAFF REPORTER

Former Ontario cabinet minister Gerard Kennedy last night set himself apart from his opponents in the federal Liberal leadership race by calling for Canada to pull out of the war in Afghanistan outright unless NATO changes the mission.

"Somebody has to pull the plug on this grand illusion that is not working," Kennedy told a meeting of Young Liberals at Ryerson University.

"We should leave Afghanistan if we can't get a mandate that does honour and respect to the people of Afghanistan and to our troops."

He said that by focusing solely on military objectives and ignoring development, "Prime Minister (Stephen) Harper is making the same mistakes the Bush administration made in Iraq and it will lead to long-term failure."

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