This is not about the Canadian military. In fact, the Koring article below shows that our troops were trying to do the right thing in 2006, in spite of the political decisions that delayed Harper government action to improve prisoner transfer protocols.
This is about Stephen Harper, his Ministers and their own mistakes, which were followed up with an on-going attempt to keep the facts from Canadians. A hiding of facts which was, originally, part and parcel of the Harper desire to extend the mission until 2009.
His Ministers, no doubt with the approval of the all-controlling Prime Minister, are now being caught out in the Harper strategy of coverup. From the last couple of days:
Proof of detainee abuse exists, despite MacKay's denials
Paul Koring
Globe and Mail
Published on Sunday, Dec. 06, 2009 10:30PM EST
Sworn testimony by senior Canadian officers and rare uncensored documentary evidence contradict Defence Minister Peter MacKay's repeated assertions that no proof exists of even a single case of a Canadian-transferred detainee abused by Afghan security forces.
In one well-documented case in the summer of 2006, Canadian soldiers captured and handed over a detainee who was so severely beaten by Afghan police that the Canadians intervened and took the detainee back. Canadian medics then treated the man's injuries. The incident is documented in the field notes of Canadian troops, recounted in a sworn affidavit by a senior officer and confirmed in cross-examination by a general.
Colvin portrayal not fitting the bill
Embattled diplomat far from lone voice on detainee abuse
By David Pugliese, The Ottawa Citizen
December 5, 2009
He's been portrayed by Defence Minister Peter MacKay as a Taliban dupe and other Conservative ministers have criticized how he did his job in Afghanistan.
But as government documents regarding Afghan detainees continue to be released, the picture emerging of Foreign Affairs official Richard Colvin appears far different.
In those records, obtained by the Citizen, Colvin is shown trying to push National Defence and Foreign Affairs to fix a flawed detainee process as Red Cross representatives in Afghanistan complained several times about how Canada was handling prisoners.
And contrary to the government's portrayal of Colvin as a lone voice of dissent, records show he consulted with other diplomats and military officers about his reports and e-mails before they were sent to Ottawa.
MacKay on detainees
Sunday, Dec. 06, 2009 11:06PM EST
Defence Minister Peter MacKay responding to allegations that Canada transferred prisoners to Afghan custody knowing they were at risk of being abused.
* "There has never been a single, solitary, proven allegation of abuse of a detainee, a Taliban prisoner, transferred by Canadian Forces.” Dec. 2 in the House of Commons
* “Mr. Speaker, there has not been a single, solitary, proven allegation of a prisoner being abused that was transferred from the Canadian Forces.” Nov. 23 in the House of Commons
* “We do want to hear from individuals who can bring forward credible, proven allegations, not just recitations of what was heard, what was passed on, what was read in reports, or what was disclosed by Taliban prisoners themselves. That is what the evidence is so far. We have not seen a single scintilla of proof.” Nov. 23 in the House of Commons
* “There has never been a single proven allegation of abuse involving a prisoner transferred by the Canadian Forces, not one.” Nov. 23 in the House of Commons
* “Not a single Taliban soldier turned over by Canadian forces can be proved to have been abused. That is the crux of the issue.” Nov. 22 in a press conference
* “There has not been a single, solitary proven allegation of abuse involving a transferred Taliban prisoner by Canadian forces.” Nov. 19, in a press conference



