The Manley Panel’s report includes an extensive list of essential policy changes
which address the full spectrum of issues facing Canada’s mission in Afghanistan:
Canada should stay in Afghanistan until the job is done; more troops are needed
from our NATO allies; Poppy for Medicine projects should be implemented as part of a
coherent counter-narcotics policy; CIDA should be revamped; and the Kandahar
hospital should be refurbished and renovated as a signature Canadian project.
Although the Panel is not as clear on action items to deal with the Taliban and Al
Qaeda bases in Pakistan as they could have been, their report does recognise the
insurgent safe havens in Pakistan as a critical problem.
The Senlis Council congratulates the Manley Panel on the extensive consultation
process which led to this important report. To generate more public involvement
and knowledge of the issues encapsulated in the Panel’s report, the Harper
government should organise a cross-Canada tour of town hall meetings for the
Manley panel, bringing Canadians into the ongoing conversation about Canada’s
mission in Afghanistan.
In many cases what the Manley Panel report says applies to other NATO governments
operating in Afghanistan, particularly the US and the UK. The leaders of these
countries would do well to heed the words and recommendations of the Manley
panel.
What remains to be seen now is whether Prime Minister Harper and his
government have the political will and competency to put the Manley panel’s
recommendations into action.
Full report in English (160 Kb, PDF)