INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Canadian Activities in Afghanistan

Published: Mon 26 May 2008 11:58 AM
VZCZCXRO3078
OO RUEHBW RUEHPW
DE RUEHBUL #1279 1471158
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 261158Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4103
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
UNCLAS KABUL 001279
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CRS
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR JWOOD
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CG CJTF-82, POLAD, JICCENT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV AF
SUBJECT: CANADIAN ACTIVITIES IN AFGHANISTAN
1. Canadian contributions to rebuiling Afghanistan have been
substantial both in miliatry and in development terms. The
Canadian military presence in Afghanistan constitutes its
largest deployment since the Korean War. In terms of aid,
Canada is one of the world's top donors to Afghanistan,
making it Canada's largest ever bilateral recipient of aid.
2. Military Contribution
Not only does the Canadian military deployment to Afghanistan
represent its largest since the Korean War, but Canadian
sacrifice in terms all lives lost can not be overestimated.
In proportion to the size of its deployment, Canada has lost
more soldiers than any other country and is Canada's largest
since the Korean War.
Canadian efforts in Kanadahar.
3. Canadian Aid to Afghanistan
Following the 2002 Tokyo Conference on Afghan Reconstruction,
Canada responded to the Government of Afghanistan's appeal
for long-term development investment by significantly
blostering its commitment to the country, making it Canada's
largest ever bilateral aid recipient. Canadian funding goes
to support projects consistent with the three pillars of the
Afghanistan Compact: security, governance and socio-economic
development. For fiscal year 2006-2007, their bilateral
assistance totalled more than $179 million. Of that, $49
million was disbursed in Kandahar.
4. Canadian projects in Afghanistan - 2006-07 Fiscal Year:
a. Sustainable Rural Livelihoods and Community-based
Development - $50 million
Includes contribution to the National Solidarity
Program (NSP), the Afghan Government's primary program for
community development. Other programs focus on mine
cleareance, food security and alternative livelihoods.
b. Democratic Development and Effective Governance -
$58 million
The main thrust in this area is through direct
contributions to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund
(ARTF). The ARTF supports the Afghan Government's efforts to
re-establish a fully functioning and representative
government system. Funding also goes to efforts to
strengthen the rule of law, aid subnational governance and
others.
c. Role of Women and Girls in Society (including
Education) - $34 million
The majority of funds under this heading go to support
microfinance in Afghanistan. Funds also go to assist widows,
promote gender equality and girls' primary education.
d. Kandahar Specific Initiatives - $38 million (note:
some of the funds for the nationwide projects above are also
directed to Kandahar bringing the total to $49 million for
Kandahar)
Highway construction, emergency food assistance and
polio eradication account for the bulk of this $38 million.
WOOD
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