Testifying before a public hearing by the Military Police Complaints Commission in Ottawa Tuesday, Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche said he felt Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs had failed to monitor the detainee transfer situation closely enough. He also said he went so far as to suspend transfers out of concern detainees were being mistreated.Laroche, who served as the commander of Joint Task Force Afghanistan Roto 4 for 10 months beginning in 2007, said the National Directorate of Security (NDS), Afghanistan's secret police force, had a sordid history and had repeatedly failed to treat people in accordance with the law. And he said he "absolutely" agreed that Canada's responsibility for detainees did not cease just because they were handed off to Afghan authorities.
Between Laroche's comments and those from the CDS a couple of weeks ago, I sense a something of a theme emerging.
The contrast to the Conservatives, appearing more and more sewer like sewer rats scrambling for any dark corner as more floodlights switch on, couldn't be greater. The tricksy bit is that the Cons are willing to dynamite parliament to avoid being taken to task.
More movement on the treeline?
RossK in comments sums it up:
"To me, it looks the brass are doing their best to separate the deeds and actions of their charges from those of their political masters."
Public comments like these from the CDS and another flag rank suggest the military leadership is willing to accept responsibility for their part in any mess that emerges over the prisoner issue. They do not appear interested in sweeping the ugly bits under the rug, should such things emerge. Instead, they seem to be saying they are willing and able to take active responsibility for any part CF members may have played.
"But when our men and women do the right things, we're proud. When they don't do the right things, we take action, as is happening with regard to various trials ongoing right now." CBC News asked Natynczyk on Thursday, "Do you have any fears of people poring over those documents?" Natynczyk responded: "Not at all, not at all."
The contrast to the Conservatives, appearing more and more sewer like sewer rats scrambling for any dark corner as more floodlights switch on, couldn't be greater. The tricksy bit is that the Cons are willing to dynamite parliament to avoid being taken to task.
RossK in comments sums it up:
"To me, it looks the brass are doing their best to separate the deeds and actions of their charges from those of their political masters."
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