[R-G] U of W president questions purpose of Afghan mission

[Anthony Fenton]

U of W president questions purpose of Afghan mission
  http://www.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=23155151-9396-45ec-8283-4ccae9727a3a&sponsor=
Donald McArthur
Windsor Star

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

University of Windsor president Alan Wildeman questioned the mission  
in Afghanistan Monday, wondering in a speech to a room full of  
Rotarians whether Canadian soldiers were there for oil.

"I can't help but become emotional each time a casket is flown home  
with another young Canadian in it who has been engaged in a conflict  
that I really can't understand, and I try really hard to understand  
it," said Wildeman in a lunchtime speech at the Caboto Club.

"I don't know. Is it really about a better future for all of us? Is it  
really a war on terror? Is it about oil? I just don't know and I wish  
I did."

The remarks came during a prepared speech where Wildeman discussed the  
global economic turmoil and the "magnitude of the expectations" being  
shouldered by incoming U.S. President Barack Obama, who will be  
inaugurated today as the 44th president.

"There seems to be a desperation in the air right now," said Wildeman,  
who took over from Ross Paul on July 1.

"There seems to be a sense that a lot of things are happening and a  
lot of things are changing."

Canada embarked on its mission to Afghanistan in 2002, shortly after  
the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The failed state had been used  
as a staging ground by Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida network.

Canada is based in Kandahar as part of a NATO-led, UN-sponsored  
mission involving the participation of about 40 countries. Since 2002,  
107 Canadian soldiers, including Windsor native Pte. Andrew Grenon,  
have been killed.

A Canadian diplomat and two aid workers have also been killed. On  
Monday, a Canadian soldier was hospitalized with serious injuries  
following a roadside bomb attack about 23 kilometres west of Kandahar  
City.

Wildeman was noncommittal when asked after his speech whether he  
thought Canada should pull its troops out of Afghanistan.

"Because I don't know why we're there, I don't know if we should be  
there," said Wildeman.
© The Windsor Star 2009