U.S. Pressing Canada for Role “Outside the Wire” in Afghanistan

The U.S. ambassador to NATO wants Canada to conduct training in the field.

The Harper government is expected to announce next week that Canada will extend its mission in Afghanistan past the July, 2011 pull-out date. It is believed the Conservatives plan to leave about 1,000 soldiers behind to help train Afghan forces “behind the wire” at military bases in Kabul. But in an interview, U.S. ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder said that the Afghan National Police are in need of training in the field, which would require Canadian Forces to venture off-base and into harm’s way. Observers say the Liberals, whose support the Conservatives will need to carry out the plan, likely would not accept an off-base role, but Harper will be reluctant to reject the U.S. call for assistance.