Canuck Defence Minister in shock upside down world view move

Canadian Defence Minister O'Connor is in New Zealand presently so his antipodeal present may accoutnn for his antithetical view of events in Afghanistan. Apologies to Canuck viewers normal service might be resumed some day.

Toronto Star 9th September
Taliban `on run,' says O'Connor

"They're basically being suppressed and on the run at the moment," he said. "Our people are flowing more freely through the area right now but we always have to be wary of the Taliban from a security point of view and we will," (Defence Minister) O'Connor said. And he hinted Canada might be sending more military resources to help troops expand development work in the battle-scarred region of southern Afghanistan. I want more projects produced, I want more development activity," O'Connor said.


Christian Science Monitor 8th September

Canadian defense minister: 'Impossible to defeat Taliban militarily'
NATO wants reinforcements for increasingly difficult Afghan campaign.
By Tom Regan| csmonitor.com

Canadian Defense Minister Gordon O'Connor, speaking in an interview on Thursday, said that it is "impossible to defeat the Taliban militarily." The Toronto Star reports that Mr. O'Connor's remarks were confirmed by Chief of the Defense Staff Gen. Rick Hillier in Ottawa. The Star also reports that the comments are "are certain to stun Canadians who are increasingly concerned about the rising number of Canadian casualties in Afghanistan." Thirty-two Canadians have been killed in Afghanistan since Canada joined the NATO mission there in 2002.