Ottawa – The Ambassador of Afghanistan to Canada paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Gordon O’Connor, Minister of National Defence on Monday. The two sides exchanged views on the security situation in Afghanistan, and on the role of the international community that is engaged in helping Afghans combat terrorism and reconstruct war-torn Afghanistan.

Amb. Omar Samad conveyed his government’s sympathies to the families, friends, and colleagues of Corporal Francisco Gomez and Corporal Jason Patrick Warren, who were killed on July 22 in a suicide attack on members of the Canadian Forces in Southern Afghanistan.

Minister O’Connor reiterated Canada’s commitment to carry out the current mission to help stabilize unsafe regions of Afghanistan, and help create conditions conducive to reconstruction and development work.

The Ambassador expressed his nation’s deep appreciation for the brave Canadian engagement alongside other Coalition and NATO members. He agreed that every effort has to be made to address the root causes of extremism that feed terror, and to help the people of Afghanistan rebuild their country.

Embassy of Afghanistan

July 24, 2006