[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 14398-14399]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 109--COMMENDING THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA 
               FOR ITS RENEWED COMMITMENT TO AFGHANISTAN

  Mr. COLEMAN (for himself and Mr. Lugar) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                            S. Con. Res. 109

       Whereas twenty-four Canadian citizens were killed as a 
     result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the 
     United States;
       Whereas the people of Gander, Newfoundland, provided food, 
     clothing, and shelter to thousands of stranded passengers and 
     temporary aircraft parking to thirty-nine planes diverted 
     from United States airspace as a result of the September 11, 
     2001, terrorist attacks on the United States;
       Whereas the Government of Canada, as led by former Prime 
     Ministers Jean Jacques Chretien and Paul Martin and continued 
     by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has provided humanitarian, 
     diplomatic, and security personnel on the invitation of the 
     Government of Afghanistan since 2001;
       Whereas Canada has pledged $650,000,000 in development aid 
     to Afghanistan;
       Whereas Afghanistan is Canada's largest recipient of 
     bilateral development aid;
       Whereas Canada has stationed approximately 2,300 defense 
     personnel who comprise Task Force Afghanistan, in order to 
     improve security in southern Afghanistan, particularly in the 
     province of Kandahar;
       Whereas Canada has over 70 diplomatic officers worldwide 
     who are dedicated to growing democracy and equality in 
     Afghanistan;
       Whereas at least seventeen Canadians have made the ultimate 
     sacrifice in operations in Afghanistan since September 11, 
     2001;
       Whereas Canada's commitment to the Government of 
     Afghanistan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hamid 
     Karzai, was due to expire in February 2007;
       Whereas on May 17, 2006, the Government of Canada led by 
     Prime Minister Stephen Harper requested that the Canadian 
     House of Commons extend Canada's commitment to peace and 
     security operations in Afghanistan;
       Whereas on May 17, 2006, the Canadian Parliament voted to 
     extend peace and security operations in Afghanistan until 
     2009, to increase its development assistance by $310 million, 
     and to build a permanent and secure embassy in Afghanistan to 
     replace its current facility; and
       Whereas this was an important sign of the renewed 
     commitment of numerous United States allies to Afghanistan: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) commends the Government of Canada for its renewed and 
     long-term commitment to Afghanistan;
       (2) commends the leadership of former Canadian Prime 
     Ministers Jean Jacques Chretien and Paul Martin and current 
     Prime

[[Page 14399]]

     Minister Stephen Harper for their steadfast commitment to 
     democracy, human rights, and freedom throughout the world;
       (3) commends the Government of Canada for working to secure 
     a democratic Afghanistan;
       (4) commends the Government of Canada's commitment to 
     reducing poverty, aiding the counternarcotics efforts through 
     counter-
     terrorism and counterinsurgency campaigns, and ensuring a 
     peaceful and terror-free Afghanistan;
       (5) commends the Government of Canada for its three-pronged 
     commitment to Afghanistan: diplomacy, development, and 
     defense; and
       (6) expresses the gratitude and appreciation of the United 
     States for Canada's enduring friendship and leadership in 
     Afghanistan.

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