Governor General Visits Afghanistan

Governor General Michaëlle Jean touched down in Afghanistan in early September for a two-day tour of Canadian operationsat the Kandahar Airfield (KAF)and at the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (KPRT). Accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff Walter Natynczyk, the Governor General awarded Afghanistan service medals to military and civilian staff, dropped a hockey puck to open a game, and gave rousing remarks to Canadians in both locations. While at Camp Nathan Smith, home of the KPRT,the Governor General had an opportunity to meet with a number of local civil society representatives, learning firsthand their stories of success and some of the challenges that they face. In speaking with Canadians deployed in Afghanistan, the Governor General said,

"I have come to tell you not to lose sight of the reason for our commitment to the people of Afghanistan, at this critical point in your mission and the democratic and stabilization process underway. We must restore hope in peace, justice and prosperity, where for too long there has been only chaos, iniquity and ruin. We must give the people of Afghanistan the means to reclaim their destiny with dignity and assurance, and enable them to build a democracy from their own perspective."

Visit the Governor General's website to read speeches that she delivered while in Afghanistan, watch videos, and view additional photos: http://www.gg.ca/gg/rr/cc/afghan0909_e.asp