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Foreword

In accordance with the March 2008 motion passed by the House of Commons, we are honoured to place before Parliament this sixth quarterly report on Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan. This report addresses events during the period July 1 to September 30, 2009.

Like many in Afghanistan and the international community, we had expected that the results of the August 20 presidential election would have been officially announced before the end of the September; indeed, we had expected to focus on the elections and their outcomes in our report. Unfortunately, allegations of fraud and electoral irregularities were raised, resulting in investigations by the Afghan Electoral Complaints Commission and the Independent Election Commission. The investigations led to a recount at certain polling stations. On October 20, the Independent Election Commission announced that President Karzai had received 49.67 percent of the vote, putting him below the 50 percent threshold required for a first round victory. A
run-off election between the two leading candidates, Hamid Karzai and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, was scheduled to take place on November 7. However, the run-off election was deemed unnecessary and cancelled on November 2, after Dr. Abdullah withdrew his candidature. Hamid Karzai was declared the winner.

Evidence of fraud notwithstanding, we must recognize the significance of these elections. These were the first Afghan-led elections in three decades and actual public debate took place between the leading presidential candidates. Millions of Afghans exercised their democratic right to vote, despite intimidation and violence from the insurgents. Allegations of fraud were reported and the bodies charged with investigating and resolving allegations performed their duties.

Canadian efforts contributed to building national institutions and democratic governance. The Electoral Complaints Commission was established and was able to carry out the very demanding task placed before it. Canadian-trained and -mentored units of the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police provided security on polling day and, while there were numerous security incidents that day, there was no major disruption due to insurgent activity.

During the quarter, progress was made in many priority areas which guide Canadian efforts in Afghanistan. As detailed in this report, additional teachers were trained, police officers mentored, and land cleared of mines and released back to communities. We have exceeded several of our 2011 targets: microfinance loans were provided to more than 500 clients and the Afghan National Army is shouldering more than its expected share of the security burden.

This quarter, more children were vaccinated against polio than in previous quarters, and most importantly, the percentage of children deemed “inaccessible” due to security concerns decreased significantly. Yet with nine new cases during this quarter, bringing the national total to 22 for the year, it is widely acknowledged that the country cannot be polio-free by the end of the year, despite the best efforts of Afghan public health authorities and the international community. Nevertheless, Canada remains committed to the eradication of polio in Afghanistan and will continue to report toward that goal and support future vaccination campaigns.

Finally, we commend the hard work and resolve of the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, and all of our civilian staff, who continue to serve under extremely difficult conditions in Afghanistan. In particular, and on behalf of all Canadians, we honour the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice, and their families.

Our next report will cover the period October 1 to December 31, 2009.

The Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway