recession anyone??

ay, Cannon announce millions for Afghan officers

Updated Tue. Mar. 17 2009 9:15 AM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Canada is spending $21 million over two years to pay the salaries of Afghan police officers and prison guards, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon and International Trade Minister Stockwell Day announced Tuesday in Kabul.

Cannon and Day made the announcement at the end of a two-day visit to Afghanistan, which was kept under embargo until Tuesday because of security concerns.

A United Nations law and order trust fund will administer the cash.

"This amount of money will serve to pay a number of correctional officers on the one hand but also pay for roughly 3,000 police officers in Kandahar province," Cannon said during a press conference in Kabul Tuesday.

"This will enable the officers to receive a salary approximately for the next two years."

In total, Cannon said Canada has contributed about $70 million to the fund.

"We continue to support and we continue to believe that the way to go forward is to provide security -- that is a must," Cannon said.

"It's extremely important to provide for security because security inevitably will bring stability."

Earlier this month, U.S. President Barack Obama said the U.S. was willing to open the door to negotiating with some moderate Taliban leaders.

hhhhhmmmmmmm......i'm wondering if it might be better to spend this money here in canada, especially during a bad recession?  even, without a recession, i don't want my fucking tax dollars going to this!

The Tories say they agree with Obama's stance on talking with the Taliban.

Cannon reiterated that position during Tuesday's press conference but said certain conditions would have to be met.

"These conditions must be to renounce acts of terrorism, to be able to put aside the weapons and to be able to sit down and discuss," Cannon said. "This is by far the better course of action to take."

Day, the chair of the cabinet committee on Afghanistan, said any attempt to talk with the Taliban would be a decision for the Afghanistan government.

"This is a process that would be led by, engaged by, and moved on by the government of the people of Afghanistan," Day said. "I believe there is great opportunity and great hope for the people of Afghanistan."

Day and Cannon also visited Kandahar during their trip, visiting a new police sub-station as well as Sarpoza prison.

Day said as Afghanistan continues to make progress the world will want to start investing in the region.