PM says soldier's sacrifice will be remembered
by Romeo St. Martin

[PoliticsWatch Updated 2:40 p.m. March 29, 2006]

Private Robert Costall is the 11th Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan.

OTTAWA  — Prime Minister Stephen Harper defended Canada's mission in Afghanistan on Wednesday on the same day Canada suffered its 11th fatality in the Afghan mission. 

Private Robert Costall, 22, from Thunder Bay, Ontario, was killed in a firefight with Taliban insurgents 110 kms northwest of Kandahar. 

Three other Canadians were injured in the battle, but are expected to make a full recovery. A U.S. soldier was also killed in the attack. 

Costall was part of a quick response group sent to assist an Afghan convey under attack from Taliban insurgents. They were attacked with mortars, rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. 

All of the soldiers were part of the Canadian Battle Group based on the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry stationed in Edmonton.

"Private Costall died while participating in our mission to bring democracy and stability to the war torn country of Afghanistan," Harper said in a statement. "His sacrifice, for which we are deeply grateful, will be remembered.

"Our UN-mandated mission in Afghanistan is not without risk and we are so very proud of our brave men and women who daily face these dangers while carrying out their duties. They represent the best of our country and I am proud to honour them."

Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor issued a statement offering condolences to Pte. Costall's family, but also standing behind the mission, which has been growing more dangerous for Canadian Forces. 

"I join with Canadians who stand proudly with our men and women of the Canadian Forces as they steadfastly continue this mission to protect Canada and Canadians from the global threats of terrorism and help bring stability and security to the people of Afghanistan," O'Connor said.

"There are risks involved in this operation, but our members are among the best trained, and most experienced soldiers in the world. They are fully prepared for the mission in Afghanistan."

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said outside a Conservative caucus meeting on Parliament Hill that the death of Pte. Costall was "tragic" and "underscores the dangers" facing Canadian troops on this mission. 

MacKay also defended Canada's role in Afghanistan, saying its for the betterment of the Afghan people and "benefits our own country."

Canada is commanding a multinational force in Kandahar and has 2,300 troops in the region. Canadian troops are on the first rotation of a two deployments. 

The second deployment ends in February of next year and the opposition parties are considering pressuring Prime Minister Stephen Harper to have a debate in the House of Commons on the mission. 

The Bloc Quebecois is suggesting that the throne speech contain some language promising votes in the House of Commons on future deployments. 

The Bloc is not calling for new deployments to Afghanistan being put to a vote, but says a policy should be developed to consider whether new deployments for ongoing missions could be subject to a vote in Parliament. 

Harper is open to votes on future missions, but has ruled out any votes on the Afghan mission. 

Interim Liberal Leader Bill Graham also defended the Canadian mission in a statement. 

"We fully support the Canadian Forces troops on this important mission in Afghanistan," Graham said. "Bringing peace and security to the Afghan people brings us one step closer to ensuring the world is a safer place."

The Conservative government is focusing much of its policy attention on its five priorities outlined during the election campaign. But many in Ottawa believe the Afghanistan mission has quickly become Harper's sixth priority. 

Harper made a point of making his first foreign visit a surprise two-day trip to Afghanistan where he overnighted with troops. 

© PoliticsWatch® 2006. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PoliticsWatch content, including by framing, copying, linking or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Public Interests Research and Communications Inc. (PIRCINC). PoliticsWatch is registered trademark of PIRCINC.