RCMP tries to figure out post-2011 Afghan role
57 minutes ago
By Murray Brewster, The Canadian Press
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - The RCMP has started looking at how to continue the police training mission in Afghanistan after the Canadian military pulls out next year, the Mounties' top man said Saturday.
But Commissioner William Elliot noted there are a number of details and variables to be worked out, among them, who would protect and transport the police trainers as they go about their business in the volatile country.
"We're at the beginning of looking at options, but there are a lot more questions than answers at the moment," Elliot told reporters after wrapping up a brief visit to Kandahar.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay dropped a broad hint a few weeks ago that Canada's continued involvement here would likely revolve around police training, but he gave few specifics.
Elliot said the RCMP is prepared to carry on, but will need the participation of municipal forces across the country, in much the same way it has for other international missions.
"Working with all of the police community in Canada, we'll be able to carry out whatever task the government of Canada gives us in Afghanistan," he said.
There are 48 Canadian police trainers at the joint Canadian and American provincial reconstruction base in Kandahar. But they rely heavily on the Canadian army for protection and movement throughout the city, and the rural areas.
There is the possibility that members from the U.S. army's 97th Military Police Battalion which is already located at the reconstruction base, could step in to the role vacated by the army, said Elliot.
"I think there are a lot of specifics to be worked out," he added.
The RCMP commissioner's comments are only the latest question mark to be raised about what happens in Kandahar, starting next year.
Recently the civilian in charge of Canadian reconstruction, Ben Rowswell, said that diplomats and development staff have not been given any marching orders on what happens after the army goes.
"We're awaiting direction from our ministers in Ottawa,'' Rowswell told reporters April 11.
"We know that we're committed to delivering development projects beyond 2011, but there are many ways you can deliver development projects, depending on how you do it. You either have civilians on the ground _ or you don't."
Ottawa has been under mounting international pressure to stay beyond the 2011 deadline, but the Conservative government has been steadfast in its determination to end the military mission. Federal cabinet ministers have mused about continued diplomacy and development, but have been largely silent on how that will happen without soldiers.
Afghan police have a badly tarnished reputation after years of abuse and outright extortion directed at ordinary people. Ill-paid street cops often shake down both city residents and villagers.
In the past, the cops have been ill-equipped, but a flood of international cash, mostly from the United States, has seen officers equipped with uniforms, body armour, radios and proper weapons.
But the stench of corruption remains. Recently new recruits complained about having to pay a "fee" to officers at Kandahar city headquarters to have their applications to join the force processed.
Elliot side-stepped questions about corruption by saying that not enough international attention has been paid in the past to getting the Afghan police into shape.
