Afghanistan-Canada relations
Encyclopedia
Afghanistan–Canada relations are relations between Afghanistan
and Canada
.
The Canadian government announced in February 2009 that it was adding Afghanistan to its list of preferred countries to receive foreign aid. This list includes 18 countries and the West Bank
and Caribbean
.
decided to establish full diplomatic relations with Afghanistan in 1968.
In 1971, Canadian aid to Afghanistan included 257 000 bushels of wheat, where drought had reduced production of cereal crops.
in 1979 and the installation of a undemocratic regime in Afghanistan led Canada to sever diplomatic ties. Even after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989 the two countries did not re-establish full diplomatic relations, and contact was minimal despite humanitarian aid efforts by Canada in the 1990s.
Art Eggleton
authorized more than 100 Canadian Forces members serving on military exchange programs in the United States
and other countries to participate in the War in Afghanistan
. Although Canada did not participate in the opening days of the war, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
announced on October 7 that Canada would contribute forces to the international force being formed to conduct a campaign against terrorism. General Ray Henault
, the Chief of the Defence Staff
, issued preliminary orders to several CF units, as Operation Apollo
was established. The Canadian commitment was originally planned to last to October 2003.
Canada re-established diplomatic relations with Afghanistan on January 25, 2002.
). The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has an embassy in Ottawa
and a consulate in Toronto
. The current Canadian ambassador is William Crosbie
. Afghan ambassador Jawed Ludin
. completed his assignment in Ottawa in December 2010 and has yet to be replaced.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The Canadian government announced in February 2009 that it was adding Afghanistan to its list of preferred countries to receive foreign aid. This list includes 18 countries and the West Bank
West Bank
The West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
and Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
.
Beginning
Official relations between Afghanistan and Canada did not occur immediately, but developed over time. Canadians involvement in Afghanistan dates back to the 1960s, with the creation of the first Canadian development assistance program to Afghanistan. As the need for greater coordination of efforts by development agencies working there grew, OttawaOttawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
decided to establish full diplomatic relations with Afghanistan in 1968.
In 1971, Canadian aid to Afghanistan included 257 000 bushels of wheat, where drought had reduced production of cereal crops.
Soviet war in Afghanistan
The Soviet war in AfghanistanSoviet war in Afghanistan
The Soviet war in Afghanistan was a nine-year conflict involving the Soviet Union, supporting the Marxist-Leninist government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan against the Afghan Mujahideen and foreign "Arab–Afghan" volunteers...
in 1979 and the installation of a undemocratic regime in Afghanistan led Canada to sever diplomatic ties. Even after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989 the two countries did not re-establish full diplomatic relations, and contact was minimal despite humanitarian aid efforts by Canada in the 1990s.
Taliban period
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 1996. Canada became an outspoken critic of the Taliban's human rights abuses against the citizens of Afghanistan. Canada continued to provide humanitarian aid to the country despite Taliban restrictions on aid agencies.War in Afghanistan
The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks prompted Canada to re-evaluate its polices toward Afghanistan. The Minister of National DefenceMinister of National Defence (Canada)
The Minister of National Defence is a Minister of the Crown; the Canadian politician within the Cabinet of Canada responsible for the Department of National Defence which oversees the Canadian Forces....
Art Eggleton
Art Eggleton
Arthur "Art" C. Eggleton, PC is a former Canadian Cabinet minister and Mayor of Toronto, and is currently a Senator representing Ontario.-City council:...
authorized more than 100 Canadian Forces members serving on military exchange programs in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and other countries to participate in the War in Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
. Although Canada did not participate in the opening days of the war, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
announced on October 7 that Canada would contribute forces to the international force being formed to conduct a campaign against terrorism. General Ray Henault
Ray Henault
General Raymond Roland Joseph Henault, CMM, MSC, CD is a retired Canadian Air Force officer. He was the Chief of the Defence Staff of Canada from June 28, 2001...
, the Chief of the Defence Staff
Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)
The Chief of the Defence Staff is the second most senior member of the Canadian Forces, and heads the Armed Forces Council, having primary responsibility for command, control, and administration of the forces, as well as military strategy, plans, and requirements...
, issued preliminary orders to several CF units, as Operation Apollo
Operation APOLLO
Operation APOLLO was the codename for an operation conducted by Canadian Forces in support of the United States in its military operations in Afghanistan. The operation took place from October 2001 to October 2003...
was established. The Canadian commitment was originally planned to last to October 2003.
Canada re-established diplomatic relations with Afghanistan on January 25, 2002.
Diplomatic relationships
Canada has an embassy in Kabul. In July 2009, an agreement on handing over of eight acre land by the Afghan government to Canadian embassy was signed in Kabul by the Afghan Minster of Foreign Affairs (Rangeen Dadfar Spanta) and the Canadian ambassador (Ron HoffmannRon Hoffmann
Ron Hoffmann is a Canadian diplomat.Hoffmann was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 1961. After graduating from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute , he attended the University of Manitoba where he obtained a B.A. in 1984. In 1990, Mr. Hoffmann earned an M.A...
). The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has an embassy in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
and a consulate in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. The current Canadian ambassador is William Crosbie
William Crosbie
William Crosbie is a Canadian diplomat. He is the current ambassador to Afghanistan, appointed June 15, 2009. Crosbie graduated from Memorial University in 1978 with a BA in political science and in history. He is also a graduate of Dalhousie University in 1982 with a LLB.-Reference:...
. Afghan ambassador Jawed Ludin
Jawed Ludin
Jawed Ludin is the current Deputy Foreign Minister on Political affairs. He was appointed on 2011, by President Hamid Karzai. He previously was Ambassador of Afghanistan in Canada and Spokesperson and later Chief of Staff to President Karzai....
. completed his assignment in Ottawa in December 2010 and has yet to be replaced.