Canadians lead by example in Afghanistan: General
REGINA — An armoured vehicle rolls into an Afghanistan community and out jumps a woman with a helmet and rifle who is in command of a battalion of mostly male soldiers.
"It's one of the most powerful ideas we have, visual images," Lt-Gen. Andrew Leslie, who led the Canadian army for four years during the Afghanistan mission.
"The women of Afghanistan see that, they see what's possible," said Leslie, who added that the country can't be transformed by might alone and the "humble Canadian way" can also be a persuasive force.
Leslie was in Regina Wednesday to speak at the annual Law Day Luncheon, hosted by the Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Bar Association. Appointed deputy commander of the NATO-led force in Afghanistan in 2003, Leslie became chief of land staff three years later and last year was named chief of transformation.
Showing a video of the work in Afghanistan, Leslie noted one of the key images is of an Afghan woman teaching female students in a school.
"I and others believe the future of Afghanistan rests on the shoulders of those women," he said. He said the country has for too long been dominated by "grumpy, middle-aged males" and warlords.
Asked what Afghanistan might look like in five years, Leslie predicted the collapse of the central government within hours if all the foreign troops were to pull out tomorrow.
Within days or weeks, the country's "neighbours" would likely fill the gap with hardcore terrorist organizations.
However, somewhere between defeat and a gradual withdrawal is compromise, he said. Within five years, the Afghan army will be a quarter million strong and should be the single most respected group in the country. There is a risk it could be so powerful that it could be a threat to the state — but he doesn't believe that likely.
If neighbouring countries stay out of Afghanistan's business, its economy could flourish.
"Who knows what wealth lies under the land in Afghanistan," said Leslie, adding the country has never been stable enough to find out.
He said potentially the most destabilizing force in Afghanistan is corruption.
"The Afghans' patience is arguably running out; so is Canada's."
Leslie said Canada has grown as a nation because of the Afghan mission.
"Our stature in the world and the respect that we are afforded because we are willing to, when required, step up and do the hard thing — which very few nations are — serves us all well."
By Barb Pacholik, Postmedia News May 18, 2011 7:01 PM
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