Embassy, November 21st, 2007
COLUMN
By Sean Durkan
There are, however, a couple of tidbits I can pass on.
Apparently His Highness the Aga Khan was seen going into the panel’s office building last month and there is word that he did indeed meet with the team to discuss what is going on in Afghanistan. This would make perfect sense, of course, given the great amount of work the Aga Khan Foundation there.
Indeed, back on Oct. 15, Aga Khan Foundation Canada and the Canadian International Development Agency announced a $9.3 million partnership over five years to strengthen the education of girls in northern Afghanistan. The Girls Education Support Program is designed to benefit more than 100,000 girls and 4,600 teachers.
Meanwhile, Mr. Manley’s panel was in New York earlier this month, meeting with UN officials and other sources.
Not that one should jump to any conclusions, of course, but it seems a reasonable guess that the panel’s report is likely to place a heavy emphasis on the reconstruction, democratization and social development of Afghanistan.
The big question is how far will it recommend Canada should go with its military mission to support this development–and for how long?
Ismailimail 