Kandahar Dispatches

I am saddened to read that the brave men and women of the British Forces feel that their work in Afghanistan is unpopular among their countrymen. It must be very disheartening. Don’t give up!
Suggestion to our Canadian reporters: Perhaps if the people of Britain and Canada could follow the daily tasks/routines of their soldiers (without compromising security, of course) or get a daily report of life at the front, they might show greater interest. They might follow it like a serial show!
Maybe get a spot on the front pages of the main newspapers or at the start of the TV newscasts showing the weather in Kandahar; giving a comment from a soldier or two; telling what the latest fad might be on the base or what movies are playing over there or how many watched the NHL game?
If the realities of daily life for a soldier on a NATO base could be made accessible to people, perhaps they would be more interested, feel more a part of what is going on, and appreciate what is really at stake in war.
It's not about politics or weapons...it's about people, in our case, Canadian men and women who have given up the safety of home for at least 6 months. Long months of anxiety, hard work, great danger, potential injury and even death. Far from family, lonely, bored perhaps, tired of eating 'canned' meals and trying to maintain a 'happy face'. I'm sure, sometimes, they have great fun with friends on the base when they can relax. But I’ll bet the fun doesn't last because it's a place for serious work.
It's true, no one forced them to go, but there isn’t a line up of parents sending their children to fight for Canada or Britain! How many children of our illustrious politicians are in the forces of either country? We could probably count the number on one hand (or perhaps, one finger?)
To the soldiers already back home, to those there now, and to the soldiers still to deploy, we're proud of you, Soldiers! Whatever your job, you are a hero. And don't ever forget it!

Although I was not born in England, I did move there in the eighties and back to Canada in the ninties, I also know there are hugh numbers of British people living here in Canada and most communicate frequently with those back in England. Just a suggestion, maybe have more reports about the 'Tommies' in Afghanistan and you maybe able to teach the BBC to do more for their own there.
Just a thought.

I have just read the post on news coverage of the British troops in Afghanistan and the fact that their efforts are not reported in the U.K. Even though we receive news here in Canada, I believe, more news could be reported on a daily basis. My son is currently deployed to Afghanistan and reports are too few to keep me personally up to date. I can imagine the frustration the family's from Britain must be feeling. We all need to support the process in Afghanistan and report the daily happenings world wide. "Iraq" is not the only country dealing with war, nor is the US in the only country with casualties.

"Worried Mom: wants more news.

I would like to read more about how the rebuilding is going on over there.
How the engineers are doing there job under what I would think would be difficult conditions.
How the different nations are co-operating with each other and the local government at the village level.

Thank God we have young men that are willing to make this sacrifice.

I find it sad that there is not more coverage of what is going on in Afghanistan,especially for British troops, simply becuase this was the war that started it. The first attempt at a war on terror. This is where the western world really began stepping in to the muslim world again, and this time with a vengeance. The war is still not over, and more help is needed, more people need to know that somewhere along the line all of this maddness has a silver lining. I am only watching this happen, and I am tired, and sad, and worn out. I can only imagine how the soldiers feel, especially since no one is watchin and giving them the support they need. I was never a proponent of the war in Afghanistan, and I still am not, but something was started there, there was a goal set, and so it must be acheived and our brothers and sisters fighting over there need all of the support they can get to get the job done.

Laura Lynch's article raises the important question of how much (or how little) Canadians know of the other NATO allies in Afghanistan. We hear that Germany and Italy have Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in the country, but that they have decided not to 'help out' in the south. We know that the British, Dutch and the Americans are in the southern provinces, but we really don't know much about their operations, or their way of doing things. Are the Dutch and British, for example, more willing to negotiate with local Taliban leaders? Are American PRT's different than ours? If so, how? (Of course, few Canadians even know what a PRT is, or that Canadians have organized one) Perhaps those Canadian reporters should get out of Kandahar and explore the wider picture. Otherwise, Canadians will only get their news through a very narrow straw.

I believe firmly that the lack of coverage in Britain of the casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan is due to US influence. Apart from CNN, which broadcasts the names of today's fallen,as well as covers the daily reports of fighting, there is general indifference, even apathy among the US population. One college student was quoted as saying he could care less. Ever see a ramp ceremony on US television for returning dead soldiers? Canadians may not fully support the war in Afghanistan, but we do care deeply that Canadians are being killed so far away, for no good reason.

Kris, I'll second that. Hopefully a producer proofs this.

One is reminded of the British Fourteenth Army that fought under General Slim in the Burma campaign. Like the British troops in Afghanistan, the Fourteenth did an admirable job while ignored in comparison to comparable units in the "main show" (i.e. Europe).

It's unfortunate that the Regiments in the area with our Canadians are not put into a segment as stated above for morale point a view. The troops have strong ties with each other as sister Regiments once again are together since WW II. The morale of the British soldier is at a low point, and any coverage for those who have been in mix since day one should have some coverage. From Scottish, and British Regiments being disbanded for budget cuts, re-naming of Regiments. It's amazing how the families, and soldiers morale will be picked up with a smile instead of a being envious.
Ask any Canadian soldier how they feel when speaking to an American the are in total shock to learn that we have troops in the area, and in a combat role. I guess the Brit's feel the same.

As a recent convert to CBC news, I have to admit great disappointment with the BBC coverage of all the current conflicts and they are the best of a bad lot here... They seem driven more by political acceptability than the need to report base facts for folk to make their own mind up about. Every story has a political agenda, or tone. This seems to result in them not wanting to be seen as pro-war and thus the lads get very little in the way of honest coverage. The media get banned from the ramp ceremonies, probably because they can't be trusted not to splash massive headlines of "X more deaths caused by Tony as Talaban win war". Alas the UK media seem completely irresponsible and biased. You can't afford that when you have a war to fight.

I used to be a part time soldier and I really feel for the lads. I'm just glad my cousin told me to look up CBC. Your factual coverage is refreshing.

When I've read or watched UK and US news reports, Afghanistan is rarely mentioned - it's a shame. Unfortunately due to the horror show that is Iraq, it gets less attention. Even worse is the feeling that whatever legitimacy the fight in Afghanistan has, whatever successes are won there, the Iraq factor seems to undermine it, even though the 2 wars are quite different. And not just in media coverage, but all kinds of issues (popular support, certain tactics, public perceptions, etc...). I'm sure the UK soldiers (also Canadians and others fighting in Afghanistan) have this consideration in the back of their mind all the time. You don't hear soldiers in Afghanistan asked what the think of "the other war" and how it affects them, but that would be a hell of a question.

Maybe a good idea....

Do some coverage of British-CDN cooperation in Afghanistan. Great way to build moral and to strengthen old ties...

Could make the BBC envious...

Have a good night.