This is pretty interesting and I am not sure what it means.
Stephen Harper has made a surprise visit to Afghanistan's most violent corner at a time when polls suggest there is growing unease about Canada's more robust role there.Harper says he wants to show support for the soldiers, aid workers, and diplomats conducting what he considers Canada's most important foreign mission in decades.
The prime minister arrived in Kandahar by military aircraft after
a secret departure from Ottawa over the weekend.Only a small group of government staff and journalists were given last-minute notice of the trip, along with a warning that the trip would be cancelled if details leaked out in advance.
I guess he feels that it would be a circus if he went in public or he would be accussed of playing partisan games with the military. Does the above show the Prime Minister's support in a non-political way? I am curious to see how the PMO explains this.
Update: Susan Delacourt of the Star has a much better story. The trip was kept secret for security reasons (I am kind of embarrassed that I didn't figure that one out).
...Harper said he has been keen to show this support for the Afghanistan effort even before he assumed the prime minister’s post in early February - when he was still campaigning, in fact, for the job he’s now held for a little over a month."We talked about it in the campaign. You recall the slogan was ’Stand Up for Canada’ I don’t think there’s been a better example in decades of Canada really standing up, going to the front line, articulating our values, not just our opposition to terror, our advancement of democracy, but basic humanitarian values, in terms of development, women’s rights, education," Harper said during his brief airplane conversation with reporters. "So I just think this is a tremendous mission where we’re showing leadership and leadership, taking on dangers, and advancing the kind of things that go to the heart of what Canada is all about as a country."
Comments (8)
I just heard myself about a half hour ago or so, great news!
When the rumours were flying around a few weeks ago and then it was reported that it was not going to happen I did think then that he would do it secretly for security reasons, makes sense.
Have to wonder if CBC was in or out of the loop?
Posted by Anne (happier in Ontario) | March 12, 2006 6:44 PM
Posted on March 12, 2006 18:44
They were in the loop. Most of the major media were, since it was a news blackout.
Posted by PhantomObserver | March 12, 2006 6:50 PM
Posted on March 12, 2006 18:50
“Harper” he be the man.
Posted by Rob C | March 12, 2006 6:54 PM
Posted on March 12, 2006 18:54
yep the cbc was there . tom parry was bitching all the way, seems like . i read ” what choice do we have ? ” 3 times in a half page report
Posted by john demerais | March 12, 2006 7:29 PM
Posted on March 12, 2006 19:29
He will go anywhere to avoid Bernard Shapiro. ;)
Posted by Greg | March 12, 2006 7:33 PM
Posted on March 12, 2006 19:33
John, I think it was humour, not bitching.
Posted by Greg Staples | March 12, 2006 7:48 PM
Posted on March 12, 2006 19:48
Maybe this will quell the bitchiness of the MSM over not being “fed”. Maybe they will see that when there is something IMPORTANT to say - they will be the FIRST to know!!!!
Bravo Prime Minister - I couldn’t be more proud!!
Posted by Alberta Girl | March 12, 2006 10:39 PM
Posted on March 12, 2006 22:39
humour you say greg , ok maybe i’m a tad biased against the cbc and it was a bit late at night . i’ll read it again . i’ll sit up straighter this time cause it definately went over my head last time . anyhow , i’m just glad the prime ministers there . it sends a good message and i think judgeing by what i saw on the news the troops are quite pleased to see him . too bad he didn’t take jack layton and alexa mcdonough along for the ride though . he could have left them there to serve up some tim hortons for a year or so . their constant yapping would have driven the taliban out of the country
Posted by john demerais | March 13, 2006 10:17 AM
Posted on March 13, 2006 10:17