Federal Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor is pledging that Ottawa will follow through on its mission in Afghanistan. But a new CTV News poll suggests most Canadians are uneasy about the military's involvement in the volatile region.

In the exclusive poll for CTV News and The Globe and Mail, The Strategic Counsel asked Canadians if they would vote in favour or against sending troops to Afghanistan. Just 27 per cent were in favour and 62 per cent were against.

The assumption that we are failing in Afghanistan -- presented by CARE Canada's A. John Watson in a Citizen op-ed last week ("Governments are overrated," Feb. 16) -- is wrong. Reality does not support such a misleading and apocalyptic prognosis. A more balanced and nuanced analysis of a complex country such as Afghanistan would better serve the interests of those who are genuinely attempting to bring lasting stability, peace and prosperity.

Ottawa – the Embassy of Afghanistan urges Afghans-Canadians and Canadians to reach out in any way possible to six-year-old Namatullah and his family in Kandahar. Namatullah’s plight was publicized by CTV reporter Steve Chao on February 18 (story appended with this advisory).

Ambassador Omar Samad talked to Pastor Doug Siggellkow on Saturday and thanked him and Corporal Brian Sanders for their efforts in arranging for donations to be collected for Namatullah, who suffers from an acute and advanced form of cancer. His family cannot afford painkillers during the boy’s remaining days.

Afghanistan is facing an unprecedented influx of militants intent on using the methods of Iraqi-trained suicide bombers, something that Canadian-led troops must be prepared to encounter with great force in coming months, says Afghanistan's ambassador to Canada. "Unfortunately, I do see signs of an attempt by al-Qaeda and the Taliban to import an Iraqi-style insurgency into Afghanistan.

That is troubling and needs to be countered with force and with resolve," Omar Samad, the Afghan envoy to Canada, said in an interview yesterday. Canada, Britain and other western countries "have the right mindset" toward combating this new form of insurgency in Afghanistan, said Mr. Samad, who was a top adviser to Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah before being posted to Canada.

OTTAWA (CP) - Canada's new mission in the perilous southern region of Afghanistan will be dangerous, with no guarantees that everyone will come home safely, says the man in charge of the force.

Brig.-Gen. David Fraser, who will lead 2,200 soldiers into the Kandahar region this month, says their training and equipment will reduce the risks. But in a province where suicide bombers and roadside booby traps are part of the landscape, the threat remains high.